Pondering Thoughts of My Soul

It takes purpose, determination, and action to forgive others who have hurt us.  For me, I would say I forgive them, but in my heart, I still carried a grudge.  It wasn’t until I heard and heeded the verse in Matthew 5:44 that said to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  As I did this, my bitterness and resentment faded.  My spirit rejoiced.  I no longer carried the burden of unforgiveness.  But how could I forget?  Little by little, my memory of the pain that person caused me subsided.  I realized that unforgiveness really scarred me, not the other person.  When you truly forgive, you are finally free.  Thank you, Lord, for the gift of forgiveness that sets our hearts free.  Help us quickly forgive others as you are to forgive us.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.  Psalm 103:12. “As far as the east is from the west, so far have our sins been removed from us.”