3.11 Overcoming unforgiveness with God’s love

Have you ever been hurt by someone else? A person who has not received love and forgiveness will find it hard to forgive. The more we realize the magnitude of God’s forgiveness for us, the easier it is for us to forgive.

Jesus shared a powerful parable in Matt 18:32-33 about a man who received great forgiveness from his master, yet he refused to forgive his fellow servant of a smaller debt. Jesus shared this story to tell us that God has forgiven us of our lifetime of debt, and saved us from death. If we truly realize the magnitude of His forgiveness for us, we would find strength to forgive others.

Unforgiveness harms us instead of the person to whom we withhold forgiveness. It is like cancer that kills. It is the root cause of a lot of health problems like stomach ulcers and bone conditions. It evokes negative emotions as we re-live that negative experience over and over again in our mind. It affects our soundness of mind and it opens a door for Satan to control our lives.

God wants to set us free from the bondage of unforgiveness. Jesus came to heal the broken-hearted. Allow God’s love to heal our hurts so that we can release total forgiveness towards the people who have hurt us deeply.

Jesus says that we are to love, bless and pray for our enemies (Matt 5:44). On the cross, Jesus forgave those who sought to crucify Him. He said, “Forgive them for they do not know what they do.” Today, Christ lives in us, and His love abides in us.

We can forgive because of Jesus' love for you. As you act in faith, there will be a supernatural release in your spirit. You will be set free. God’s love can make us whole again. Say this prayer from your heart:

Heavenly Father,
I thank You that You have forgiven me of all my sins because of Jesus. You loved me when I did not deserve Your love. I receive Your strength to be set free from all unforgiveness in my heart. Therefore, I forgive, bless and love those who have hurt me in Jesus’ name, Amen.