Forgive Quickly

Luke 6:37 | Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 

When we've been hurt, holding a grudge can feel so right. We can feel a bit self-righteous if we've been hurt without cause, so we hang on to bitterness and unforgiveness. And if we are honest, it can make us feel like we have some power over our offender. However, harboring unforgiveness falls into the natural law of sowing and reaping. If we sow unforgiveness, we will reap unforgiveness. That's why keeping short accounts and forgiving quickly is so important. Releasing the burden of unforgiveness benefits us because it allows us to fully accept God's forgiveness, and giving and accepting grace helps us grow in our faith.
 
Journal Prompt: Take some time to identify one person you haven't forgiven for a past offense. Be honest, and identify what you hope will happen by not forgiving that person. Knowing it will benefit you, can you release this person to God and forgive them for the offense?

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