“Bear with each other and forgive one another 

if any of you has a grievance against someone. 

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” 

(Colossians 3:13, NIV)

 

Sometimes in life we find ourselves in precarious situations. Well, one day I found myself in one. It all started with a conversation at my place of employment. I made a comment about the boss to another person at the job and guess what? The following morning, when I arrived at work, my boss summoned me to her office.

 

She pulled me aside to inquire into what I had spoken to the other person. Honestly, I didn't think much of it because it wasn't anything malicious or gossipy, just a comment about the environment.

 

After I returned home, I was very angry and wanted never to speak to the other person again. But God spoke to me saying, "If the comment had never been made, the other person couldn't have tried to use it against you. Watch how you use your mouth."

 

With that, I took my lumps, and repented for the indiscretion of my mouth. Afterward, negative thoughts of the other person kept bombarding my mind. I spent a couple of hours pushing them down, until I remembered that I had been forgiven and I could simply share the forgiveness with the other person.

 

Honestly, I didn't feel like being forgiving to someone who deliberately tried to get me into trouble. But I realized that forgiveness is not so much about the other person as it is about us letting go of bitterness and hostility. Although, it's not easy! It's a fight within your soul! However, we still must forgive.

 

Then I remembered why God loves forgiveness. It's because He loves us and if forgiveness were not used as a means of cleansing away our sinfulness, God would have no choice but to destroy us. Looking at forgiveness from God’s perspective helped me to forgive the other person, because if she ever needs me to help save her life, I can help her since I'm not holding any grudges or hostility towards her in my heart. All is well between her and I in my heart because of the gift of forgiveness God has given to the both of us.

 

When I returned to work the next day, I acted like nothing had ever happened. I could tell she was a little nervous because she kept trying to make conversation with me. Initially, I ignored her, but then I responded with a smile and a friendly reply to her comments. The young lady is in a crisis and I would rather be a help than a hinderance to her growth. Again, it’s not always easy to do the right thing, but it’s always the right thing to do.

 

Prayer:

Father, please help me to let go of the anger I feel towards this person. And help me to remember that I am just as much at fault for my participation in the sin. Help me to forgive their faults just like you forgive mine. And help me to pray for them as I pray for myself, in love. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.