One of the things the Lord continues to remind me is, that the practice of forgiveness is worth every ounce of effort, even when it feels impossibly hard.  Can I be really honest, though?  While I know that’s true, I also find it easier to say than to do.

 

Relationships are a beautiful blessing, a gift really, but they are hard work.  We are all in the process of being made whole and new again, but not yet perfected.  So, there are times when we bump up against one another with our broken jagged edges and we hurt each other. Sometimes unintentionally, but there are times when the hurt inflicted is deliberate.

 

What do we do with that?

 

The offering of forgiveness is a gift for both sides of the offense, but it often rubs up against the need for justice, and that’s what makes it so hard because where there is pain, there is a reflex to self-protect.  It is much easier to put the walls up and isolate, but that only perpetuates the pain.  Sitting back, licking wounds, and playing the victim, actually locks the soul in a self-inflicted prison cell. It’s always a lose/lose situation, and the craziness of it all is that it’s so unnecessary.

 

Here’s the thing, forgiveness is the only way out of that pain; it’s the only way back to reconciliation.  And while there may be times we feel okay without reconciliation, let me just say this, unforgiveness doesn’t just create a breach between us, it also creates a breach between us and God.

 

 

So yeah, the practice of forgiveness is worth pursuing.  Today, we’re going look at some practical ways to shift the attitude of a hurting heart toward generosity—a better kind of justice.

 

Forgiveness brings freedom and release

 

Unforgiveness leaves us shacked—whether we are the one in need of forgiveness or the one who needs to forgive—on both sides of the breach there is sin.  I don’t know about you, but in the moment, there is such a temptation to pass the blame, but the truth of the matter is, it always takes two.

 

 

The bottom line is that we are called to forgive just as God has forgiven us.  God sent Jesus, who become flesh and took upon himself all sin.  He took it to the cross, died a horrific death, descended into Hell, where he endured separation from God for three days.  The Bible then tells us that Jesus rose again defeating the power of sin and death, which is really good news for you and I.  God offered us forgiveness so that we could find our way back.

 

“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

 

God’s act of forgiveness sets us free and pronounces righteousness over the sin breach.  His love releases us, and in that, He empowers us to do the same.  Freedom—that’s the gift he gives

 

The practice of forgiveness is an act of obedience.  The surrendered heart that has been set free by the blood of Christ, can choose to impart the same gift unto another. The beautiful thing about the LORD is that He is always willing to help us when we step forward into obedience.

 

And if that’s not motivating enough, we need to remember that the grudges we choose to carry will act as barriers in our communion with the Father—we cannot maintain bitterness as we pursue intimacy with the Father.  We can protect our relationship with the Father by resisting the temptation of unforgiveness.

 

 

 

 

Forgiveness opens the way to Joy

 

Bitterness leads to sorrow, so it only stands to reason that the practice of forgiveness stirs up joy.

 

I’m not going to lie, I know well the misery of bitterness in my soul.  It’s not that I want to sit in the place of resentment, but the desire for justice—my kind of justice—has more than once roped me into places that didn’t bring satisfaction or joy.

 

There is nothing worse than the pain of being wounded by sharp words, thoughtless actions, and mindless selfishness, resulting in offense and injury.  And, can I say, it doesn’t do much to assuage the hurt with a flippant non-apology that goes a little like this, “I didn’t mean to, but…”.

 

I have a tendency toward stuffing my feelings down, telling myself that it’s not unforgiveness until it boils up and I blow. Here’s what I know, it doesn’t take long for bitterness to take root and when it does it chokes out all the joy.

 

How about you?  Does any of that resonate?

 

Unforgiveness always leads to bitterness and bitterness makes us sick.  It starts in the head, moves to the soul, and if left unchecked it can manifest through physical illness.  That’s the way of all sin, it leads us to death.  So, when we choose to nurse it we become hosts to misery.

 

Learning to keep short accounts is the best way through.

 

I love that God gives us the way back, with the practice of forgiveness.  When we put the bitterness down and trust God to justify and make it right according to his standard, the misery and the weightiness of it all begin to lift.  And then miraculously joy finds a way back in.

 

 

 

 

Forgiveness leads to Shalom

 

Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace, but it means much more than the English definition connotes. Shalom speaks of completeness and wholeness.  This is what God has saved us into.  When he created us, he made humanity in his image—the DNA of God is in us!

 

Salvation and restoration are all about Shalom, but here’s the thing, we will only really know Shalom as we commune with God.  That kind of healing happens when we encounter His presence.

 

Unforgiveness is like a fortress that stands between us and the Lord.  When we choose to host it, we can expect unrest, torment, and chaos in the soul.  Shalom and bitterness cannot coexist.

 

This is particularly motivating for me.  I certainly don’t have it all worked out in my life, but I’m learning that bitterness and unforgiveness will not serve me well.  Anxiety and fear breed a whole mess of yuck through the gateway of unforgiveness, and that’s no way live.

 

So, the pursuit of Shalom starts with releasing grace and choosing the way of forgiveness.  This is how we win!  The enemy works hard to create a storm of pain, stirring up doubt and lies that lead toward self-protection, but God is so much better than that.  The Lord is our defender and if we will trust Him, He will work to bring us into complete wholeness.

 

Also, Shalom gives us the ability to see things from the lens of heaven.  When we stand from God’s point of view, it always looks way different.  Shalom is a kind of wholeness that can give back.  Shalom imparts Shalom, and we get to be the conduits of that.

 

Do you see it?

 

Forgiveness leads to Shalom, which empowers us to do what feels impossible.

 

 

 

 

The benefits outweigh the cost

 

The benefits of the practice of forgiveness outweigh the cost of abdicating our right to justice.  It may not feel like it, but thank goodness forgiveness doesn’t hinge on our feelings.

 

A friend of mine once said, “Bitterness is like swallowing the poison but expecting the other person to die.”  It’s a sobering thought, and it’s been profoundly helpful for me as I wrestle through the inner stuffing of resentment.  Admittedly the practice is hard, but have the weightiness of my faithlessness and pride in the area to be much worse.  This is definitely a process and I’m thankful for the way God leads when I’m willing to trust and obey.

 

The greatest benefit of the practice of forgiveness is that it leads to wholeness.  This is what opens the door for healing.  When you and I choose to nurse resentment and foster bitterness, we shut the door to God’s best.  He wants us to experience complete freedom, and joy and shalom—these are the benefits of his amazing grace.

 

 

 

 

The invitation to commune with God

 

The Lord loves his sons and daughters so much so that He is relentless in his pursuit to bring us all back into right relationship with himself.

 

Do you believe that?

 

Have you encountered his grace?

 

It’s not a big leap to assume that God’s love will shelter us from challenging relational situations and difficulties, but the Bible tells us we will endure hardship.  In that, God invites us to come close to know Him and to be known by Him.  His presence enables us to walk as safely as we can through this broken world.

 

“God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.  He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. You have given me your shield of victory.  Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great.  You have made a wide path for my feet to keep me from slipping.”  Psalm 18:32-36

 

Isn’t that a great word?

 

God invites us to come close.  We do that when we trust and obey, through surrender—which often looks like forgiveness.  The practice of forgiveness allows us to get really close and when we abide in that sacred place, we have access to the fullness of the Father.

 

He arms us with strength.

 

He goes ahead to make the way perfect—not with bumps and challenges—but completely aligned with His perfect will.

 

He sets us up to succeed, giving us the necessary tools, and then he trains us, too.

 

He supports, helps, and leads us through so that we experience victory—wholeness, and completeness.

 

So, see what I mean? The practice of forgiveness is absolutely worth it, even when it’s hard.