Forgiveness…it can be difficult. I struggle with forgiving others and even myself.

Over the past few years I have grown bitter with a specific individual. The lies, manipulation, isolation, and hostility from this person has me consumed with anger and an unwillingness to extend forgiveness. I feel the need to prove to others the truth and the real and complete story. The reality is that people will believe what they want to believe, even if that means not hearing the other side.

I’m so tired from this bitterness that has rooted itself into my heart, and forgiving this individual is the only way to eliminate this stronghold. Proverbs 19:11 says,

Sensible people control their tempers, they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

I now need to be the bigger person. Being angry doesn’t make me feel any better, and choosing to overlook the wrongs doesn’t mean what they did is ok. Instead, it helps me to heal and move on.

If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.

Matthew 6:14

Our Heavenly Father shows great mercy in forgiving our sins. In order to be more like Christ, I must show the same mercy and forgive.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

1 John 1:9

It is time for me to also fully embrace the forgiveness God has given me. I will let go of the guilt and shame and refuse to live under the labels spoken over me. I have confessed my sins and he has trampled them under his feet and thrown them out. (Micah 7:19)

My healing starts today. I am choosing to forgive this person and all their wrong doings. I will forgive over and over. I will extend the mercy and grace that my Father has given me. I also vow to forgive myself. To throw out the bitterness and live out the life God has in store for me.

Living By Grace

Misty