12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14
Forgiveness – true, complete, whole forgiveness – is one of the hardest things as human beings we can do for someone else and for ourselves. And yet, it is one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith and one of the keys to us be able to full accept the forgiveness Christ offers each of us.
We are called to live lives which reflect Jesus’s heart and his love. Part of that reflection is our ability to forgive and to let go of a hurt. At times, what someone says can hurt more deeply than any physical wound, and because it is internal others cannot see the injury and cannot help you find ways to heal. This is why it is important to let a person know, in a kind and gentle manner, when he or she has offended or hurt you and it is equally important to recognize the hurt and release it.
Holding onto pain or past injuries hurts no one but you. Only you suffer when you do not forgive and release the pain someone has inflicted. We must forgive quickly – recognizing the pain and allowing the hurts to be soothed by the love of Jesus.
To avoid all conflict and pain in life is impossible, but we can do our part not to allow pain and suffering to linger longer than necessary. We are not a perfect people. We make mistakes. We hurt each other and we ourselves. But – as Christians we have the ability to allow our love for each other and the love Christ has for each of us to be the soothing salve which will help to heal our broken hearts.
Scripture
Quote of the Day
“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.”
Cathrine Ponder
Question of the Day
When were you hurt or when did you hurt someone else in this past week?
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