You don't have to move that mountain, just give me the strength to climb it!

I have been thinking a lot about forgiveness and what it really entails....It seems so hard to forgive when one thing after another comes our way. 7X70 and then some seems like a lot. When it is only the beginning. I believe Forgiveness really starts where anger stops. Forgiveness is embraced when hurt has been released. Forgiveness is about what you do despite what others have done.

The Bible says, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”.

How can we miss the central point being made by Jesus – forgiving someone else is as much about me as it is them and often more so. Unforgiveness is sin that will steal, kill and destroy in our life whereas forgiveness will set the offended person free in life, and eternity. Pastor has preached many times trying to drill the point home regarding how your actions impact massively on you. The Lord tell us that we should not bring our “…gift to the alter” when there is anger, bitterness and resentment in our hearts. What is this gift? It is ourselves offered to Christ to serve him. To fulfil the call of God we have to let forgiveness fill our heart.

Now don't get me wrong I still think that forgiveness does not mean that one deliberately places oneself in the firing line for abuse and mistreatment. Matthew gives us specific direction referring to those designated as our enemies (that curse you, hate, despitefully use and or persecute you) are all dealt with differently. While love (including forgiveness) can be specific to each scenario, actually doing a good dead may not be the right thing regarding those who are prepared to despitefully use you.

I believe one of the greatest revelations we will ever get regarding how much it cost Christ to forgive us is in that very moment when we have to forgive unconditionally and without “hope” of revenge or recompense. At the same time we must not leave ourselves open to harm’s way but make sure that unforgiveness doesn’t become the stumbling block to our personal walk with Jesus. What we truly leave behind will not raise its ugly head in your future. That old saying forgive and forget can be the hardest thing we ever accomplish in life. But if we could come to the realization as to "why" a person is acting out by saying or doing the things they do. Then we may better understand how to forgive.

For instance I was reading about Joseph and despite the years of suffering Joseph was determined not to get bitter. Everything that happened to Joseph stemmed from the jealousy his brothers had for him. Consequently Joseph kept his relationship so close and intimate with God that he had God's favour on his life, preserving and blessing him, never faltered or waned. He forgave others and found that God had not forgotten him. In fact he discovered that being prepared to forgive kept his heart soft toward and in the center of God’s will.

I have asked myself so many times, "How is this forgiveness possible?" The answer lies in Mathew 7: 11 + 12 reading verse 7 – 12. When we recognise that God is in control of our life not people or circumstance, at that point, “… all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you [you will actually be able to reach out and do to them]”. When we are convinced that God is our judge, source and salvation we will find the heart and the willingness to give and forgive. A forgiving heart is one that is preoccupied with the Jesus at all times.

My prayer this day is help me be like Joseph and keep a soft heart, a forgiving heart and a heart that is quick to love despite the stumbling blocks that come my way. There will always be thorns in life but help me Lord to see the rose behind every thorn in life!