let's stretch our faith in the area of... forgiveness

Hey Grace Girls,

I pray that you all are doing well in preparing for your summer plans. As we continue our series on Stretching Our Faith. I feel led to share my need to be forgiving. Listen, I know the Bible firmly states the importance of forgiving. Did you know that the word forgive is mentioned four hundred ninety times. Jesus even stated in Matthew 6: 15 , “But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.” Simply put, the Lord urges the importance of letting someone be forgiven just as He has forgiven you. The thing that I am working on is learning how to forgive in the moment and not waiting to forgive when I feel like it's necessary.Like, it’s easy to forgive for the small things or even someone you love the most. But consider how faithful God is to forgive us at every moment we ask for His mercy. As a daughter of the King, your main goal is to become closer to Him than you have ever been. You are His representation on the earth.

Remember the fruit of the spirit, Galatians 5:22-223 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” The word forbearance means patience, just as God has patience with you when you fall short. Pray to have patience when to love those you need your forgiveness. Job 6:14 says, “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. In closing, I want you to understand the importance of starting the process to forgive others. I can’t force you to forgive your enemies, I can only remind you that Jesus has forgiven us and we have to exemplify what He has taught us to do. In closing, take the time to journal from the prompt question below on forgiveness.

Journal Question:

When was the last time you remember praying for a person you had to forgive?

What do you learn from practicing forgiveness?

Pray when needing to forgive someone:

Lord,

Today I confess the unforgiveness in my heart. I do not want this situation to separate me from your goodness. I ask that my heart forgive the wrongdoing that I experience from people. Deliver my mind from repeating the memory in my head. Help me Lord to have patience when seeking change after forgiving someone. You are my best friend, my refuge, and my confidant. I put my trust in You to save me from the burden of unforgiveness. Quicken my heart to forgive just as you forgive me. Let your love comfort me and those who have hurt me. I will be the light in darkness. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.