Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to forgive people who hurt us

Forgiveness
A devotional by Angela Anderson

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

–Matthew 6:12 (KJV)

One of the last phrases Jesus Christ said before dying on the cross was “…Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…” (Luke 23:34 KJV). The magnitude of this act of grace is often overlooked and taken for granted.

We are living in a time where forgiveness is not very popular. There is such a great demand for justice in this society. We naturally want to see people pay for their sins or wrongful acts. Nowadays, grace is considered odd and when it is extended by others, it’s noteworthy and shocking.

Yet God calls us to forgive each other when we have been wronged simply because God forgives us every day of our lives when we confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness. It is the least we can do considering the great sacrifice that was made on our behalf. Furthermore, we are warned of the consequences if we do not forgive. In Matthew 6:15, the Bible makes it very clear that if we do not forgive others of their trespasses, then our Father also will not forgive us of our trespasses.

Still, many struggle with extending grace to others. It is quite possible that people do not know how to forgive because they have not allowed themselves to receive forgiveness from God. They have not yet experienced the power of that type of love from our Heavenly Father. And it’s that type of love that God expects us to give to others.

But how can we possibly forgive others? Just like Jesus surrendered His life on the cross, we must first surrender to God’s mercy and love and allow it to fill us. Once we have truly experienced it for ourselves, we become transformed by its ability to free us from feelings of animosity and ill will toward others.

God’s love accepts us as we are but does not leave us that way. We become restored and elevated into a right relationship with God. That is when He can use us and that’s when we are able to share His love, mercy, and grace. That is when we are able to freely forgive.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, We are so thankful for Your grace. May we never forget Your sacrifice and the blood that was shed to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Please forgive us for our sins and help us to forgive those who have sinned against us. We know that we cannot do this without You. Give us the strength to love others as You love us. In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Forgiveness” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Angela Anderson was born in Brooklyn (New York) and raised in New Jersey.

She started writing at an early age and realized in elementary school that it was both a strength and a passion. She continued writing through high school, college, and into adulthood.

Angela is the author of a devotional book titled Just When I Thought I Knew God, and she is currently working on another devotional book that will be introduced in 2023.

This is Angela's third year as a devotional writer for Alexis A. Goring’s “God is Love” blog. In 2021, Angela was a winner of a devotional writing contest where the entry is featured in a book published by Proverbs 31 Ministries. The book is titled, Hope When Your Heart is Heavy. The following year, another one of Angela’s devotionals was published in another publication from Proverbs 31 Ministries, called Living Unbroken.

Angela has a passion for inspiring and impacting others through her writing and speaking.

Angela is a Mom Life Coach. She empowers mothers who want to identify their God-given purpose and live it fully while taking care of their family. Angela develops mothers into mompreneurs by providing them with the necessary tools to be successful and fulfilled in life. These tools equip them to see their value, understand their importance, and reclaim their identity.

Angela has been married to the love of her life, Duane Anderson for 18 years. Together they have two sons: Thomas (age 10) and Ryan (age 5). Angela’s favorite pastime is journaling.

She treasures spending quality time with her family.

~*~
Connect with Angela:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelanderson1104/
Facebook (personal): https://m.facebook.com/angela.thomasanderson
Facebook (Author page): https://www.facebook.com/jwitikg/
Angela offers free consultations for mothers who want to pursue their dream while taking care of their family. Schedule here: www.ChatWithCoachAngela.com