Being able to forgive is very healing. People can and do hurt you as you go through life and that hurt can stay with you for a long time. It isn’t healthy to hang onto bad feelings and unforgiveness; it can be like an illness creeping through you until it changes you and can destroy your life.
God asks us to forgive each other and in the same way he will forgive us our wrongs; this is a challenge in the Our Father prayer. If we pray it at all, we are aware that we need to embrace forgiveness as part of our christian journey.
In Matthew 18:21,22 Jesus is asked how many times should a person forgive someone and he replies seventy-seven times meaning there should be no limits to our forgiving another person, just as God puts no limits on the number of times he will forgive us.
I always feel sad when I read a news story where something bad has happened to someone and they use the words: ‘I can never forgive them’. What is sad is that they are making something awful into something much worse. Not only do they have to recover from what has happened, they are adding to their spiritual and physical burden by keeping bitterness in their hearts.
When we forgive someone, it doesn’t mean they get away with whatever they have done as they too have to repent and ask God’s forgiveness. It will stay with them as when we commit sinful acts we cannot feel at peace and we draw further away from God. Whether they have faith or not, this is damaging.
Living a life free of unforgiveness is the only way we can grow spiritually and I do hope that you will put before the Lord anything that you have issues with in this respect. He is always listening and understands that you find it hard to forgive. He will help you and bring back the peace you comfort you had in the past.
God bless you and may you always find it in your hearts to forgive,
Widows Mote 