Forgiveness Is For You

I’d like to talk today about the benefits of forgiveness. Have you every thought about who benefits from forgiveness the most? Is it them, or is it you? Sometimes, the person that you are resentful toward isn’t even aware they have offended you. Come to think of it, I wonder how often I have offended someone and wasn’t even aware of it.

As I see it, there are three major benefits of forgiveness.

First of all, forgiveness brings liberty. Have you ever carried a grudge against someone and felt the need to avoid them? Isn’t that an awful feeling when you think to yourself, “I wonder if so-and-so will be there?” and your stomach just twists up in knots. When you learn to forgive, you no longer have to fear coming into contact with that person.

Second, it frees up our relationship with the Father.

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matt 5:21-26 NKJV

These are the words of Jesus, and He is teaching that resentment and strife will interfere with your relationship with God.

Finally, most of you are mothers and some of you are mothers of grown children. Have you ever had two of your children who were estranged? I cannot imagine what that would be like. My children are so young that their spats are quickly mended with a kiss and a tickle from Mommy. But if, when they grow older, something were to happen and two of them held a grudge and wouldn’t speak, or were even to the point where they were uncomfortable around each other, I think it would tear my heart out.

How then must God feel when we hold a grudge against another of His children?

Malachy McCourt said, “Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Don’t continue to swallow dregs of the poison of resentment. Ask God to show you how to accept His tonic of forgiveness.