The Hardest Thing

When I was younger, I was one of those kids who would get mad when a person was nice to someone who they argued with the day before. It didn't make sense to me. How can you be friends with someone you were just so angry with? From that example you can surmise that forgiveness is something I work hard to maintain.

I'm a creative person, so if someone got on my bad side, I would spend time plotting ways to be rude or pay them back for their mistreatment. I could come up with some really great stuff too! - And then I would remember that I was a Christian... and not just a Christian in lip service only, but a fully practicing, Bible-knowing, living as an example Christian.

All the verses would scroll through my mind: Vengence is mine says the Lord... Be angry and sin not... Put away all bitterness and anger... It would all spring up out of nowhere! But I wanted to put it all on the shelf for one good minute, so I could enjoy the satisfaction of really giving it to that other person!

But you can't do that when you're truly saved. Why? Because you know Who's watching. You feel the Holy Spirit prompting you to hold back. You think of how Christ went through so much more and never slipped into sin. You put yourself in that person's shoes and actually consider how they might feel...

And then you swallow the hugest lump in your throat, put a vice grip on your Christianity, and - choose - to - Forgive.

Maybe the person never even said they were sorry. Maybe the person continues to be a problem for you. Maybe you feel humiliated and small.

But maybe your kindess causes the other person to change. Maybe the person comes back another day and shows you kindness. Maybe the person sees the God in you and wants the same thing for themselves.

One thing that's for certain: God saw your act of mercy, and will definitely show you mercy and give you a great reward (Matthew 5). I may not plot revenge anymore, but I like to think that God takes note of how I purpose to forgive.

Beyond that, though, God forgave me of so many trifling things that I've done! Over and over again He forgives me when I do wrong. Who am I to withhold that kind of love from someone else? What gives me the right not to show the same kind of compassion? Even if I don't receive a reward or special blessing, I should still work to forgive others because I have the blessing of the unconditional love of Jesus! I have plenty of love to spread around.

Today's Verse: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:44, 45