Forgiveness - Is a Choice

Forgiveness is a choice. I believe it is extremely hard to forgive. My demand for justice out weighs my willingness to let a trespass go. Honestly, I think at times I might even enjoy being anger. Yet, the truth remains anger is easier than love or grace. Giving grace to another person cost us the right to demand justice and punishment.

In this little devotion I use grace instead of forgiveness because grace is the essence of being able to let go of what another person has done to you.

Think about anger for a moment, what do you gain by becoming enraged and resentful? Ok, what did you gain, maybe a little bit of heartburn, headache and anxiety. The truth is anger accomplishes little and anyone can become anger and resentful.

Grace on the other hand has a better pay off. What do you receive when you make the choice to forgive? Well, first, you let go of a lot of strain and pressure. Grace improves your own health.

It is not easy to let things go and offer grace. The truth is, you can't just let it go... you have to give it away. What does that mean? You have to give away what you have received. You have received grace from God if you have asked Him. Now, give away the love you desire to the person who offended you.

Think of your own failures which required someone to forgive you. Unless you are deity, you have done something against someone else, which you needed to seek grace for, right. Ok, now give back the same grace you needed when you failed.

Remember the model prayer Jesus gave us, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US. Now, with that in mind which would you rather do, stay anger or forgive? Yeah, me to, I think giving grace to another is far better than resentments and anger.

Forgiveness, The Lord's Prayer