Forgive, Forgive, Forgive

Forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. —Ephesians 4:32

A former pastor I know drifted from God and left his wife for another woman. Shortly afterward, his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She faced the slow, fearsome loss of her faculties without the loving support of her husband. It would seem like she had every reason for anger and bitterness, but God put forgiveness in her heart.

This became clear when she was rushed to the hospital with a cerebral hemorrhage. As she slipped in and out of consciousness, her children pressed in close to hear her say, “Forgive . . . forgive . . . forgive.”

Early on this woman realized she would never be remarried to her longtime mate. She knew her life would never be the same, ever again. But as she struggled with her emotions and with the effects of her unexpected, late-in-life trauma, she came to a point of surrender where she said, “All I want, Father, is for You to receive glory.”

The same God who kept this woman from bitterness is ready to help you forgive—whatever your situation.