Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you? And the lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart.
Matthew 18:33-35
You will pay for it somehow. It might be in sleepless nights, your health, your family life, your relationships with others. Unforgiveness will find you out.
You aren’t cleverly hiding anything. God already knows.
Let it go.
Weekends in the Word is a ministry of Raising Arrows meant to offer a time of worship and encouragement specifically for those mommies who find themselves, due to circumstances beyond their control, unable to attend worship services with other believers. However, all are welcome here each weekend to feast on His Word.
mamajil says
so true….its so important to release others by forgiving them and in turn it frees us….I read recently where unforgiveness is like living off of bacon cheese burgers hoping the other guy has the heart attack….
Amy says
Oh, that’s a good analogy!
Kathy Sykes says
Unforgiveness never really hurts the other person. It only brings the unforgiver stress, anger, heavy heart and the inability to move on with life. The person who needs to be forgiven has more than likely repented for whatever it is that they did AND has moved on. To not forgive makes us stay in a “state of inertia”!!! We are focused so much on that situation instead of being focusd on what God wants for us. Unforgiveness takes our eyes/hearts off of the Lord. Is it easy? No ma’am! Is it necessary? Yes!!!
Ashley B says
This verse is one that I’m currently struggling with. I’ve been praying, trying to work through forgiveness of someone in my family who has been both verbally and emotionally abusive to me for many years and started to do so to my kids before I limited contact. Unfortunately, this person is NOT repentant – which for me, makes it a bit harder to work through what forgiveness is supposed to look like in our relationship. 🙁
Either way, we are all broken and their sin is no greater than mine. Like the verse says, if I want to be forgiven – I must forgive.
Amy says
It is VERY difficult when the other person is not repentant and often limited contact is necessary. Here is a link that has helped me tremendously: http://www.amazingbible.org/Documents/Bible_Studies/Bitterness.htm {hugs}
Ashley B says
Amy, thank you so much for taking the time to share this link – I greatly appreciate it! God surely knows my heart (He knows I needed the words you shared!) and I know he wants me to continue to give it up to Him so I can truly forgive and begin to heal. 🙂
Rashida says
Why not forgive, is a question I ask those who find it hard to forgive. When we realize how much God has forgiven us, and has taken our sins upon himself, when he himself has done no wrong, It makes it easier for us to forgive. The same mercy and forgiveness Christ has shown us, we to should be willing to show to others who sin against us. Daily choosing to forgive others not only brings healing to our self, spiritual and physically, but also keep us in right standing before God. We choose to not harbor any offenses, that will blocks our communication with Christ! GREAT post to meditate on!
Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Theresa says
Thank you for this Amy. I know this is true. I’m struggling w/this right now. I keep praying about it and thinking “I’m done, I forgive her” but a month later ill feelings pop up! I remind myself that when I was dead in my sin, God forgave me. I should also freely forgive!! As another commenter said, it is difficult when they are unrepentent and continue to talk negatively about you. The person who is doing this to me is not a Believer and resents that I am. I will focus on what Rashida wrote above ^^ and leave it on the altar. Thank you.
Amy says
Forgiving doesn’t necessarily mean once and it’s over. 70 x 7. Keep handing it over. 🙂
Rashida says
I thought I might share this here as we discuss forgiveness. Has anyone heard of http://www.gotquestions.org/forgiveness.html ? If so here is their post on forgiveness Very Interesting! How can I forgive those who sin against me?”
http://www.gotquestions.org/forgiveness.html
Amy says
Wow! Just reading the verse convicted me on how hard I am on my kids sometimes when they don’t follow through on their chores, etc. I’ve been getting real uptight and angry with them. (wrong of me) Thanks for reminding me.