How can I forgive?
One of my heroes, Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross, she grew up in a terribly abusive home life and situation as a young girl. And I remember reading a friend of hers asking her, "Clara, how can you be so positive? Don't you remember?" she asked, "Don't you remember the cruelty that was put upon you?"
And Clara Barton's reply was so beautiful, and it's really challenged me so much. Her reply was this: "No, I distinctly remember forgetting that."
Wow, that is an incredible way to live life. And I want to be like that. And I desire it. And I desire it for you. And I'm sure you think about that, too. Can I forgive those people who have been so cruel to me?
To not forgive hurts us all, but especially it hurts the one who holds on to the wrong that's been done to them. So if you're holding on to something like that, you can make a decision of your will in the power of the Holy Spirit to forgive. And you know, it's a miracle, it makes very little human sense. It's not fair. But if you can, in the power of the Spirit do what God himself did. He set the example. He paid the penalty we should have paid to forgive us of our sins, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness he says, and it's a new start.
And I pray that you will receive His forgiveness and begin to forgive others. It will change your life.
“To not forgive hurts us all, but especially it hurts the one who holds on to the wrong that's been done to them.”
Luke 11:4
“Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.”