You've gotta forgive!

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Forgiving someone who has done us wrong can be one of the hardest things for some. Whether we like to admit it or not, we have all been there at some point. It's not a one time thing, forgiveness is something that we have to do every single day. Yes, everyday.

I mean think about it. Sometimes we take this forgiveness thing and only use it for things that we consider major in life, but what about the small things? Like.. when someone is having a bad day and is rude to you, when someone cuts you off on the freeway, or even close friends or family hurting you. All these things we must forgive. Of course we are human, but we cannot continue to allow that to be our excuse because we are so much more powerful and capable than we think.

Unforgivenes shows itself in many different ways. Do you often find yourself talking about things that happened a long time ago? Frustrated, irritated, upset? What about your reasons for doing things, because so and so hurt you? Or, because something happened to you, it changed your view on life. This is a miserable way to live. I'm only saying it because these are things that I have been through personally. No matter what, we have to allow ourselves to be able to see things from Gods point of view. That's why he gives us his word. Everything doesn't always make sense, but try it, it works. Almost like a recipe. Sometimes you read the ingredients and you wonder how, why and so much more. In the end, however it comes out great, why? Because you followed the directions.

We have to remember that we all fall short and are ignorant of things at times, yet God still forgives us and shows us grace. Once we repent and ask for forgiveness he doesn't see us as the liar, cheater, fornicator, envier, and so much more that he could. He sees us as his child, and shows us love. Thinking it in your head, is just as bad as saying it. If you do have an ought against someone, or if you just struggle with things and people bothering you, take it to God. Admitting is the first step and he will help you with the rest. In any situation self examination is the best thing to start with. Ask yourself what did I do wrong? What could I have done better? 2,3,4, or more wrongs don't make it right.

There will be times when you forgive people and they won't accept your apology, nor will they give you one. Do what you have to do, because in the end unforgiveness only hurts you.

Jesus died and took on every sin that he was innocent of himself just for us. We have to remember that when people "do us wrong" and make it right, not to allow that wrong to become the image that we permanently have of them. If God was to do the same to us, we'd be hideous. Give people a new start because every single day you get one, and every single day you need one. No one but God sees what's in your heart, and sometimes that's worse than a lot of things people actually do and say.

Remember that you are Gods child, you are a reflection of him and your heart should be a reflection of him, so that your words will be a reflection of him because out of the abundance of our heart we speak. What's in your heart?

No one and nothing is worth messing up your relationship with Christ. If nothing else, let that be an encouragement to you. When you don't forgive that becomes a burier between you and him. I don't know about you, but I can't afford that and you can't either. YOU'VE GOTTA FORGIVE!