Mom Heart Moments #43

My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.

JESUS ONCE TOLD THE STORY OF a wealthy man who forgave the debt of another to whom he had loaned money (Matthew 18:21-35). After being released from his great debt, this forgiven man ran into a man who owed him a small amount of money —but he showed him no mercy, demanding repayment at once. When the first man found out about his former debtor’s lack of kindness to the other, he went looking for him and threw him in prison to be tortured until he had personally, completely repaid the original debt.

This story teaches much about our relationship with the Lord. Because He has forgiven us and humbled Himself to the point of death to bring about payment for our debt of sin, He says we owe everyone we meet the same grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness that we received. If we do not forgive others, then no matter how justified we feel in hanging onto our resentment and hurt, our hearts will be damaged, and we will feel far from God.

There is so much potential for broken relationships throughout life —hurt feelings, different values, varying philosophies, immaturity, insensitivity, harsh or careless words, and simple irritation offer just a few places where bitterness could take root.

We all have baggage of some sort from severed relationships in this broken world, and sometimes it’s not at all our fault! But our hearts don’t have to stay broken, and we don’t have to react with bitterness, even in these circumstances. We can always choose to love, even when we are not loved by people —because God is absolutely, forever committed to loving us.

Are there relationships in your life that have been broken? People you need to forgive? Ask God to bring them to mind today, and lay a burden down.