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With God's Help

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  Colossians 3:13

 

The command to forgive as we have been forgiven is difficult to obey, but we need to forgive people who have wronged us--even if we don't think they deserve it. If we don't, the poisons of anger and bitterness will eat away at our souls, but with God's help, we can deal with them in a way that honors Him.

First, if we were at fault in any way, we need to face it honestly and seek God's forgiveness. Then we need to ask the person to forgive us as well--even if they may refuse.

The next step is to ask God to help you forgive the one who hurt you. The only way to do this, I believe, is to realize how fully God has forgiven us in Christ. We don't deserve His forgiveness, yet we are "justified freely by His grace" (Romans 3:24). Open your heart to Christ, and then ask Him to replace your hurt and anger with His love--and He will.

From, HOPE for Each Day: Morning & Evening Devotions, by Billy Graham.