The Power of Forgiveness: What Is Your Definition of Forgiveness?
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Scripture
"Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know." 2 Corinthians 5:16 MSG
Thoughts for the Day
It’s easy to define forgiveness as letting someone off the hook. But what if forgiveness is something much deeper—something that reveals God's heart through us?
In Chapter 5 of Fearless Forgiveness, we meet Amy, a mother whose son’s addiction caused her deep wounds. At first, her love was tangled with bitterness. But as she gave her pain to God, He began a holy transformation. Her heart softened, and her ability to love without enabling became a powerful display of God's character.
Amy’s story reminds us that forgiveness is not just about healing our emotions. It’s about imitating God’s love—loving even when it's hard, even when it hurts. That kind of forgiveness is holy. It’s a sacred act of worship.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean we excuse wrongdoing or deny the pain. It means we choose to love in a way that mirrors God’s own mercy. And when we do, something miraculous happens—not just in others, but in us.
Consider This . . .
Have you ever thought of forgiveness as a way to participate in a miracle? A divine intervention in your life?
When we forgive, we reflect the very nature of God—His mercy, His patience, His compassion. It's not something we muster up ourselves. It's something God grows in us when we make ourselves available.
Do you want to reflect God’s character more clearly? Then start with forgiveness. Not because the other person deserves it, but because God is worthy of being displayed through you.
Prayer
Father, help me to see forgiveness not as a weakness, but as a powerful way to reflect You. Teach me to let go of bitterness and take hold of mercy. Help me choose love—not just for my sake or theirs—but to honor You. Make my heart a vessel for Your character. In Jesus’ name . . .
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