The power of forgiveness

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses," -Matthew 6:14‭-‬15 ESV.

Today's verse of the day is one I've read many times before, but it was a good reminder to read it again. In context, this verse is Jesus speaking about forgiveness after teaching The Lord's Prayer as a model of how we are to pray. This same theme is touched on later in Matthew as well in the parable of the unmerciful servant. If we wish to be forgiven of our own sin by our heavenly father, then we have to live that out as well. Our character should be consistent between how we present ourselves before God, and how we present ourselves to others, there should be no discrepancies.

The other thing about this is, it's very healthy to live this way. Do you know how much energy it takes to carry around bitterness and anger, as opposed to saying, I'm going to forgive and move on? I have met people before that you can just tell have been been carrying bitterness for a long time, and I think it changes you in a very bad way over time like that. I think that forgiveness becomes easier for us as we learn humility too. As soon as we acknowledge our own humanity and the fact that we have also hurt others, and even if we haven't done the exact thing that was done to us, with honest reflection I can usually admit that I at least have the potential to do the same. Once you hit that point, how can you not forgive someone? I'm not saying it's easy, deep wounds especially can take years to heal sometimes. The more we practice this though, the easier it becomes, and the more free we become. Bring those heavy burdens and lay them at Jesus' feet, you weren't meant to carry them by yourself.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” -Matthew 11:28‭-‬30 ESV.