We meet different people with different characters on our journey in life who offend us and vice versa. The little thing you do that offends someone may not offend another because we all react to things differently. We think differently, see things differently and we have different emotions based on our temperaments.

Forgiveness is one characteristic everybody must practice irrespective of their beliefs. Forgiveness is not relative to Christians because the Bible says so but a command. Forgiveness has its own implications in our lives, both spiritually and physically. Just as unforgiveness can cost us our salvation, it can also cost us our health. Forgiveness can make you and bring healing to your soul.

It is sometimes very difficult to forgive and let go but the bible says “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14)

Mathew 6:12 says and I quote; “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us”

We have been reciting this verse in the Lord’s Prayer many times; it is time to practice it.

We expect God to forgive us but we do not want to forgive those who wrong us. If you do not have the attitude of forgiveness, do not expect God to forgive you in the name of mercy and grace.

Most often, the people we resent have no idea of the grudges we hold against them just because to them, it was nothing serious.

PART 2

The person you resent so much may not even be aware that you are keeping something against her.

The bible says “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25

This means if you bear anyone a grudge, your prayers may not be heard.

When God forgives us he clears our record of sin and establishes a new relationship with us. But when we forgive, we free our soul and mind from the evil thoughts we have for the person and the effects it will have on us.

We experience mood swings at the mere sight of the offender. One may feel uneasy even at the mention of the person’s name. The evil wishes we harbor for the person may turn us into the devil himself. It turns into hatred and hatred is sin before God. It makes us the enemy of God. Our entire wish is that something bad should happen to the person.

PART 3

Philippians 4:8 says; “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Jesus teaches us to forgive others seventy times seven. In other words, we must always be willing to forgive.

Can you count the number of times you have offended others? How many times have you asked the Lord for forgiveness?

If you bear a grudge against someone in your heart, you hurt yourself not the person. Sin blocks our blessings. It opens up doors for the enemy to attack us. Isaiah 27:4 says “Fury is not in me, who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle, I would go through them, I would burn them all.” In this context, if there is fury in you, you cannot escape the trap of the enemy.

I stopped begrudging people when I saw this bible verse. I told myself that I will not let the enemy trap me with unforgiveness or block my blessings with their offenses.

When we sin, God patiently gives us a long rope to repent, sometimes a lifetime.

Do you know how you can do that? Let the Holy Spirit help you do that. He will make it easy for you. He knows you better than you do. With time, the pain will heal.

We are lucky we don’t have to offer sacrifices of sheep and all that to atone for our sins.

PART 4

It is alright to feel offended or bitter; it is part of life, but you need to manage it. If you feel too bad, you can talk about it with the person who offended you or someone else. Do not keep it in you. If you keep it you may not be able to forgive the person. It will take prayer to let go.

It is not enough to tell yourself that you have forgiven someone; you need to make conscious effort to let go of the negative feeling whether the person deserves it or not. It is for your own good.

Matt 18:34 -35 says; “In anger, his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured until he should pay back all he owed.”

This is how our heavenly father will treat each of us unless we forgive one another from the heart.”