The Blessing of Forgiveness

Starting the New Year with Peace

Start by Forgiving

Easier said than done for many of us in the middle of the emotional turmoil caused by whatever offence was strewn our way. Some of us think that we are never able to get past the hurt this causes. As I was scrolling through my social media feed over the holidays, I read a quote that spoke to me: “bitterness keeps you from flying”. I was intrigued by how this is possible, and it got me thinking. As we usher in a fresh and positive new year, it’s time to look back on the past and re-evaluate what forgiveness looks like to us.

The Word For You Today

On my forgiveness journey, I humbly started the new year by reading the first devotional from The Word For You Today - Start by Forgiving:

“If you would like to start the New Year with a clean slate and travelling lighter, let go of the old grudges that are weighing you down. Philip Yancey described forgiveness as “an unnatural act.” He said, “You don’t find dolphins forgiving sharks for eating their playmates. It’s a dog-eat-dog world...not dog-forgive-dog.” Bitterness and hatred come naturally when you have been hurt. Forgiving is supernatural and requires the grace of God, but remember, Jesus said, “if you do not forgive...your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15 NIV).

Think about it - there is not one single solitary reason God should ever forgive our sins, yet the offenses He pardons us for every day far outweigh anything we will ever be asked to forgive our parents, spouses, and friends for. The Bible says forgive “each other...as God forgave you.” Forgiveness opens the doors of a prison, where you are both the prisoner and the jailor. Grudges not only isolate you from people who were once friends, they shorten your life by producing deadly enzymes that contribute to a host of physical ailments.

One man told his counsellor, “I wish my brother could come to my wedding, but we haven’t spoken in years.” The counsellor asked, “How come?” Pausing, the man replied, “It sounds ridiculous now, but I don’t even remember!” Drifting apart is the natural result of an unforgiving spirit; forgiveness reverses the trend by healing broken relationships. It’s a scientific fact that forgiveness adds years to your life. As a rule, when you talk to individuals who have passed the eighty-year mark, you find they’re at peace with themselves because they have learned to forgive and let go.”

“Forgiving each other...as...God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV

How does God’s Love help us to Forgive?

After reading the passage above, I was overcome with the realization that forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing the hurt caused; rather, it’s an act of surrendering our pain to God and trusting in His justice and healing. It’s supernatural! It’s through forgiveness that we can experience true peace, as we release the burden of anger to Him and embrace the freedom that comes with God’s love. Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but it’s a powerful step in cultivating peace, joy, and spiritual growth. Through faith, we can find the strength to forgive and experience the transformative power of God’s love in our lives. What a wonderful blessing for the new year!

Conclusion

Forgiveness is a blessing - bitterness keeps you from flying. It can take some time to forgive and heal, but it’s ok to forgive at your own pace. With a little faith, we find the strength to forgive, allowing us to open ourselves to the freedom and healing that come from God’s love. Practicing forgiveness daily this new year can fill our hearts with His joy.

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