Forgive

Forgive
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. —Mark 11: 25
Our bodies are amazing. Within the chemical laboratory that is you, different emotions cause different chemical reactions. As Proverbs tells us, “A merry heart does good, like medicine” (17: 22).
Laughter and happiness have healing value. But the opposite is also true. Bitterness and anger create destructive chemicals that begin to destroy our health and our well-being.
**Resentment is destructive.
When we carry hurts and offenses with us, our bodies suffer. It doesn’t matter if you are justified for being angry. It doesn’t matter that the other person deserves your resentment. The fact remains that you will hurt yourself when you hold on to resentful feelings. The offense may seem unforgivable, but you still need to forgive. Some wounds run so deep that it seems impossible for us to forgive, but it’s not. Your Father can help you. Just hold the offense before Him and ask the Lord to free you from the anger you’re feeling, and the desire for revenge. Ask the Lord to help you to forgive the offender—just as He forgave you when you were undeserving or unworthy of His forgiveness.
Remember: Jesus did more than just teach forgiveness; He practiced it. As He was being nailed to the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23: 34). Don’t let bitterness destroy your life. If you want to bless Jesus, others, and yourself—forgive.
Father, although we have sinned against You again and again, You have forgiven us—again and again. Help us to be like You. Help us to forgive as we have been forgiven.