A Forgiving Spirit

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

A few years ago my daughter and I had a court appearance concerning her ex-husband. He missed his opportunity before the judge, and we were excused from the case. As we were leaving, he was coming into the courthouse. I was following my daughter and only caught a quick glance of him out of the corner of my eye.

“Was that him?” I asked my daughter. 

“Yep!” she replied.

It was at that moment that I realized I felt no anger towards him anymore, only pity. I had to examine myself for a moment, because there was a part of me that was very angry, but not at him, only about the things he had done to my child and his children. Don’t get me wrong, there was a time that I wanted to go upside his head. But now, I just want to pray for him. I guess this is a result of God telling my daughter, the children, and me to forgive him. 

I remember a time in 1993, right before I went into a trial season (time of testing), when God also told me to “Forgive your father for the father that he wasn’t, and honor him for the father that he was.” I heard him, but I didn’t know what to make of it until I thought back on the good things he had done for me. When I recognized that the good out-weighed the bad, I was able to forgive him for the hurt he had caused me and my family. 

It was only when God asked me to care for him in his last years that I came to value the power of forgiveness. I am grateful to report that my grandchildren have been able to apply the same kind of grace toward their father, after all the suffering and separation.

Matthew 18:21-23 illustrates the power of a forgiving spirit, “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

‘Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”

Now, that’s a lot of forgiveness! Actually, Jesus was trying to teach us about the Spirit of Forgiveness, which in essence is God’s Spirit! And just as much grace that has been extended to us, we need to extend the same forgiving grace to others. 

I’m grateful for God’s great grace in his merciful forgiveness. I am a blessed beneficiary! With that in mind, I must extend the same to my ex-son-in-law, who is just as much in need as I was, am and probably will continue to be! God forgive us! 

If there is any unforgiveness lurking in your heart, especially where your enemy, family, or mate is concerned, please pray this prayer with me.

Prayer:

Father, please help us remember to forgive those who have offended, hurt, or disappointed us; especially those who are closest to us. For you, through your grace and mercy, have forgiven us our sins and iniquities. And help us not to condemn those who may behave as enemies, but to pray for their souls to be saved and for them to have your peace. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!