The Struggle With Unforgiveness
Ephesians 4:30-32
All of us have been hurt at one time or another, and the offender may well have been someone we love. We often try to get past the pain of such situations with comments like, “That’s okay” or “Don’t worry about it,” and yet we just can’t seem to shake that annoying sting. Why can’t we simply let it go?
One reason we struggle with unforgiveness is the simple matter of pride. Why don’t we forgive? “Because that person hurt ME!” we cry. In our offended pride, the offense grows much greater than we should allow. It becomes an issue of personal insult rather than an honest mistake or flash of insensitivity.
Another factor in our unforgiveness is bitterness. We become bitter when we refuse to deal honestly with our hurt feelings and then allow the matter to fester in our heart. The growing sense of irritation spreads through our spirit like an infection. It has been rightly said that bitterness is like a poison that you prepare for someone else and then drink yourself. While it silently destroys our life, the person who hurt us may remain completely unaware of our dark feelings.
Finally, we struggle with unforgiveness because we often have a poor understanding of what it is all about. Or, we might be sitting around waiting for an apology that may never come.
If you have been hurt recently, pray for the strength and honesty to approach the offender and say, “You did this and it hurt me. But I love you and refuse to allow this to destroy our relationship.”
Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries