Being in a place of hurt can sometimes bring about anger, resentment, and thoughts of retaliation.  Unlike man, God never holds grudges even after we’ve moved on from our place of hurt, anger, and bitterness.  God will stir up conviction in our minds and plan our redemption.  Plotting revenge is not our job; it’s His.  Forgiveness is ours.  Anger gives space to the devil and bitterness invites him into our hearts.  Gossip, slander, and resentment offer an open invitation to the devil. However, we can send him packing with our acts of forgiveness.

Let us discard our checklists with others’ transgressions, pray for our enemies instead of plotting against them, and hate the deed instead of the offender.  Jesus died for us all, even for our enemies.  What if there was no grace involved in Jesus’ death?

Forgiveness is never easy nor is it painless, but like all things, there’s both a starting and ending point. We are all beginners in forgiveness and no one has the secret formula. Yes, we will have good and bad days, tests, and anger sometimes mixed with our love.  However, without progress, there will be no success.  If we actually try to forgive, the act itself will come natural.  Spend little or no time in the house of spite and more time in the house of Grace.

Eph 4:26-27 (KJV)-“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath; neither give place to the devil.”