Secret to Happiness #6

Forgive others:

To forgive is freeing, while holding a grudge does more damage to ourselves than to others.

Unforgiveness unnecessarily destroys relationships and brings unhappiness to all.  To refuse to forgive is like taking rat poison and waiting for the other person to die!

If I don’t forgive, I tie myself emotionally to the person who harmed me: then every time I think of him or her my stomach gets into knots; when I see that person I try to avoid them.  Unforgiveness gives them the power to controls me, even if they’ve died!  But, on the other hand, to forgive is to set myself free to better serve God

The problem is we tend to forget how much God has forgiven us (an infinite amount). In addition, Christ died for the sins of everyone, including those of the people who sin against us. So we can forgive just on that basis.

It is the command of our Savior to forgive: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance ag.ainst someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Col. 3:13

He calls us to the privilege of being grace receivers as He forgives us, AND grace givers as we forgive others. There is much joy in obeying God!

Picture: Forgive as you have been forgiven.