Forgiven

Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you? Matthew 18:23 NIV

I was hurt. I was mad. I was not going to forgive him again. My husband hurt my feelings for the one-hundredth time during our first year of marriage. I was tired of it. He expected me to forgive him each time; in fact, he knew I would. Not this time. I was over it.

When my best friend picked up the phone that day, she didn’t expect to get the earful that I gave. I needed to vent. I talked while she listened. Then she listened while I talked. “I can’t believe he hurt me again,” I complained, “how many times is he going to do this?” What she said next sank deep in my soul and landed with a thud. “I guess now we know how Jesus feels when we commit the same sins over and over again. In sorrow, we beg His forgiveness, but turn around with the same offense the next day. He must feel really frustrated with us sometimes.”

Ouch! That was not exactly what I expected to hear that day, but it was obviously what I needed to hear. How could I not forgive my husband for whatever silly insult he committed when Jesus forgave me for sending Him to the cross with my sins? I felt ridiculous even thinking about it.

My husband and I have been married almost eleven years now. I honestly can’t remember what he did that day to upset me, but I will never forget the words of my friend. They live inside of me. Remembering them has helped me to avoid many hurt feelings and arguments. If Jesus can forgive me, I, too, can forgive.

Are you harboring hurt feelings about something that you need to let go? Has a friend or family member done or said something that scarred you deeply? The only one you are hurting by holding on to anger is yourself. Read the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18. Praise God because you are forgiven.