"TO FORGIVE IS DIVINE" Then in anger the master handed him over to the torturers until he paid back all that he owed. My heavenly Father will treat you in exactly the same way unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart." -Matthew 18:34-35
If we do not extend to others the forgiveness the Lord has given us, He promises we will be handed over to the torturers. When we refuse to forgive, we will be tortured by depression, fear, anger, self-hatred, compulsions, violence, anxiety, or suicidal tendencies. Many problems are forms of torture traceable to unforgiveness.
The Lord is not being cruel to us in letting us undergo these tortures. Rather, He is merciful in giving us only a partial payment of the wages of our sins (Rm 6:23) so that we will repent before we ride the train of unforgiveness into eternal damnation. Right now, let the Holy Spirit help you recall how the heavenly Father forgave you such an awesome debt of sin. Then decide by Jesus' power to extend that forgiveness to everyone who has ever hurt you. Now picture yourself embracing those people you've forgiven as the Father embraced the prodigal son (Lk 15:20). Whether or not you feel it, the Lord has worked the miracle of forgiveness in you.
Prayer: Father, forgive me and make me forgiving. Promise: "That is why the reign of God may be said to be like a king who decided to settle accounts with his officials." -Mt 18:23
2 comments:
This is so true. Forgiveness actually heals the one who forgives and unlocks the person's anger and depression at the same time. It can be extremely hard to forgive but it is God's form of therapy to do so.
God Bless.
We struggle with forgiveness, don’t we? Unforgiveness, resentment, anger are all spiritual death for us. It is spiritual death. A spiritual writer once wrote, ‘ It is like spiritual constipation.’ The flow of grace stops! Forgiveness is also linked to our physical and emotional health. How can anyone expect a physical healing if there is spiritual corruption in them? There is a direct connection between my mind, my body, and my soul.
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