Power in Forgiveness

There is a lot said about the power of forgiveness. There are the positives of forgiveness and there are the negatives of unforgiveness. I’m sure we all have heard how forgiveness is more for us than the one that has offended us. More often than not the person we believe has offended us has no idea that it even occurred. We then go around mad and upset, unable to sleep or eat. In short, unforgiveness keeps us from enjoying life.

Yet, there are another couple of effects that unforgiveness has upon us. Let’s take a look at Mark 11:25, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” First, we see that if we are unwilling to forgive, the Father is unwilling to forgive us. This then leads to a second negative that unforgiveness has and that is it interferes with our ability to worship God. This of course speaks to the truth that because of unforgiveness we cannot be in right fellowship with the Lord.

Lastly, unforgiveness affects the power of our prayers. You may wonder why sometimes it seems as if a prayer doesn’t get any further than the ceiling. Well, search your heart, is it possible that you are holding on to a grudge, some form of unforgiveness toward someone?  If so, then it’s way past time to forgive. Now I’m not saying you have to call them up and tell them that you are forgiving them. They will probably have no idea what you are talking about. Remember, forgiving someone is for your well-being more than it is for theirs.

If you are finding it difficult to forgive, then pray and ask the Lord for the power and ability to just let it go. Put it into His hands and let Him handle it. If you are sincere in this desire I know the Lord will give you the strength to accomplish forgiveness.

Don’t let pride get in the way of right fellowship, right praying, and receiving the blessing that comes from a forgiving heart.