Forgiveness
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
– Mark 11:25 – NIV Study Bible
Have you ever had resentment over a broken relationship with a family member that festered into unresolved forgiveness? What about the same feelings between a friend or co-worker? Who did it hurt the most? YOU? The offender? Your witness? When we hold onto hurt, pain, resentment and anger it hurts us more than anyone else. There may come a time when it’s too late to say, “I’m sorry!”
The phone rang and when I answered, the voice on the other end asked, “Uncle Terry?” I failed to know the voice, so I responded, “Yes, who’s calling?” “This is your nephew, Rob.” I had not talked with this young man for years, so it was a surprise to hear his voice. It was even more surprising to hear his next comment, “I just wanted to let you know my dad died from a brain bleed.”
There had been a lost relationship between my brother and me due to some unresolved family issues that caused a break in communication for 20+ years. Prior to the rift in our relationship, we had been very close. I had looked up to him with pride as my “Big Brother.” For years I had hung onto my anger with him. Attempts at healing often takes its toll physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The longer the absence of a relationship, the more difficult it is to reconcile until feelings wain into emptiness. As I got older, the loss of this relationship began to haunt me. Finally, after much prayer and seeking God’s direction, I hit the point of wanting to address a reconciliation, but it was TOO LATE!
It requires a DESIRE followed by ACTION. What can I do now? My brother is gone. After much prayer and boldly going before the throne of the Lord and asking for direction, I feel the answer has come. I cannot dwell on the past. Regrets? YES! God sees my heart. Nothing is hidden from Him.
Sometimes we need to come before the Lord and ask Him to lead us in the direction of what to hold on to and what to let go of. The main point is: Seek forgiveness before it is “too late.” The longer we dwell on unforgiveness, it harms us more than the offender. For our own growth and Christ-centered witness, take action by focusing on forgiving those who have hurt us or who we have ill feelings toward.
“Realize that Christ suffered unjustly and horrendously to pay the penalty for your sins – to make possible forgiveness of your sins.” (Forgiveness – The Freedom to Let Go by June Hunt – copyright 2013 Hope For The Heart)
– Terry Miller has over 30 years of banking and training experience with major banking institutions.12+ years as owner/principal of Terry Miller & Associates – a training and development firm. He spent 8 years as director of Pastoral Care with Waxahachie Bible Church. Terry is currently semi-retired. Continuing with self-employment directing Terry Miller & Associates, a consulting firm conducting speaking and training engagements, in addition to authoring and publishing 4 books.
