Love Dare Day 25

Forgiveness…
We forgive not because the guilty party deserves it, but because Jesus requires it of us. How can we, who have been forgiven so much hold grudges against our spouse. I do not harbor any long term unforgiveness for my husband, but I do often struggle with forgiving unkind words or actions as quickly as I should.
I remember my mother in law was talking to me about my future husband once and we were talking about some things in his past. She told me I would have to learn to forgive him for those things. I remember feeling a bit shocked. How could events or actions on the part of my husband that happened before he knew me warrant my forgiveness? If you haven’t always been a Christian, which neither my husband nor I have, then you know sometimes there are consequences for sin that far outlast the actions. I do sometimes find myself remembering past actions I thought I had forgiven and need to be given up to God again.
Forgiveness can be a continual process where we have to repeatedly make effort not to harbor ill feelings. I find it really helps to pray in moments of bitterness or unforgiveness. God gives us the capacity to forgive. He requires it of us. Don’t let unforgiveness stunt your growth with God. Forgive as He forgave you BECAUSE He forgave you!!!