Walkin’ Weekend: How to Forgive

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James 1:22 says, “ Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves.” Each Friday we’ll look at one way your family can apply God’s Word, doing what it says as you walk through life this weekend (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

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Because Jesus took our punishment, God loves us even when we mess up. Sometimes we do horrible, awful things. Sometimes it is on purpose, sometimes we didn’t mean to do it, but did it anyway. Even then, God loves us and is willing to forgive us when we come to Him and mean it when we say “I’m sorry.”

Think about things you’ve done. Have there been times you messed up? Are you glad God still loves you and forgives you? It’s a pretty good feeling knowing God still loves you, even when you mess up. Isn’t it?

What about when other people mess up and hurt us? What are we supposed to do then?

“Forgive our sins,
just as we have forgiven those who did wrong to us.
Don’t let us be tempted,
but save us from the Evil One.’

Yes, if you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your wrongs. But if you don’t forgive others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrongs you do.”

Matthew 6:12-15 (ERV)

Sometimes things other people say and do to us really hurt. Those things can be very hard to forgive. Here’s the good news: God helps us forgive other people. Our job is to ask God to help us forgive that person, then remind ourselves we have forgiven them every time we think of it again.

If you have been hurt, you don’t have to keep putting yourself in situations where you will be hurt again, but you do need to forgive the person who hurt you.

Here is your challenge today:

• Think of someone who did or said something wrong to you.
• Have you forgiven that person? It doesn’t matter if they have said they were sorry or asked you to forgive them. Have you?
• If not, pray and ask God to help you forgive them.
• Decide to forgive them and remind yourself of that every time you think of what they did or said to you. In time, the poison will drain away. That is what forgiveness does. It helps you keep your focus on God and His forgiveness rather than the ways others have hurt you.

Want to read more about this? Check out Matthew 18:21-35.

This blog is part of a Titus 2 Tuesdays Linkup Party. Click here for more encouragement.

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