CHOOSE TO FORGIVE

Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? – Jeremiah 15:18

I met a man whose mother was killed by a neighbor many years ago. After more than
five years since the crime, he still couldn’t forgive his mother’s killer. But his bitterness
was destroying his family. His wife talked to me and said she was leaving him and
taking all their children with her. People have challenged her and said, “But your
husband loves you!” She’d answer them, “I know my husband loves me. But his anger
towards his mother’s killer is consuming him. His bitterness has eaten him up. He’s not
the man I married. Any love he has for me or his children is consumed by his anger.”

Here’s the truth: If you’re bitter towards one person, other people you love will suffer
from your resentment.

Why? Because your heart is one. You cannot divide your heart into two parts — one
part to love and another part to hate. Sooner or later, love or hate will take over your
heart and your life. You have to choose between a life of misery and a life of freedom
from resentment.

Make the choice now to forgive even if the offender has not apologized. You and the
people you love deserve to be happy. Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com)

Reflect: Who do you need to forgive?

Lord, the pain won’t go away. But I will follow Your Word and choose to forgive the person who
inflicted this pain on me.