A New Beginning: Choose to Forgive

As I continue to grieve over the loss of my sweet Mom (she's been in heaven 4 months today), I have been greatly encouraged by a ministry called Griefshare. I receive daily emails from them that have been so helpful in the PROCESS of grieving. Today's email is about forgiveness.

It suddenly occured to me that UNforgiveness is a huge issue for many people which got me to wondering if there's someone out there who needs a "new beginning" in the area of forgiveness. I am convinced this is one of the defeated one's (satan's) most successful arenas: to keep us from forgiving and thus keep us paralyzed in our walk/relationship with Jesus. Therefore, I've simply copied & pasted today's selection because it's just too good not to share...

"Forgiveness is getting your heart right with God by making the choice to forgive others and by receiving His forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean you are relieving someone of responsibility for his or her actions. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean you trust that person. Forgiveness is the act of letting God's love flow through you.

Think about the above definition for a moment.

Doug Easterday says, "You're not alleviating responsibility from anyone by forgiving them. You are transferring it to where it really belongs and that's with God. They will answer to God someday, but if you're requiring them to answer to you, then you have as big a problem as they do.

'Forgiveness is obedience to God.'

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times'" (Matthew 18:21-22).

Lord, it is only by Your power that I can forgive. Keep me from destroying myself with unforgiveness. Amen."