Forgiving Like Jesus Is Hard to Do

“Be kind and compassionate of one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

How can I easily forgive the person who cut me off in traffic or jumped ahead of me in line at the grocery store checkout yet have a hard time forgiving the person who betrayed my confidence; or who made a cutting comment that most likely innocently rolled off their tongue but stung like a bee when it hit my ears? Even if they apologized.

I am human. Jesus gave us holy forgiveness by dying on the cross for our sins. He also modeled how forgiveness looks like in our lives. Peter betrayed Jesus three times as Jesus had predicted at the last supper. Following His resurrection, as Jesus talked with Peter, He asked him three times, “Do you love me?” Not, “Why did you do it?”

Peter responded to Jesus’ question of love with a “Yes.” I often wondered what Peter thought Jesus would ask next. Jesus didn’t seem angry in His conversation with Peter. Jesus asked him three times, once for each time He was betrayed by him. I think Jesus wanted Peter to know that he was forgiven.

Looking back on that scripture, I have a hard time not asking, “Why did you do it?” Jesus knew the answer. Satan was at work.

I have forgiven those who have hurt my feelings. I have accepted their apology. When there wasn’t one, I would just chalk it up to they were having a bad day. But sometimes I bury the pain deep in my heart. On the surface I forgave, but I didn’t truly let go of the pain and give it to God.

Not truly forgiving and letting go from your heart is only hurting you, not the person who intentionally or unintentionally hurt you.

Today, is there someone you need to forgive? Pray about it, turn it over to God, and let Him set you free.

Mitzie Avera