Not Ready to Forgive

For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ. —2 Corinthians 2:10

It’s possible that even after realizing the importance and imperative of forgiveness, you’re still just not ready to forgive. It is still too painful. Or perhaps you’d rather keep nursing your wounds than to release the offense. If that’s your story, I feel compelled to share a loving but earnest word of warning.

Your unwillingness to trust and obey God in this matter will keep the atmosphere of your life contaminated with the poison of bitterness. You may not be conscious of its noxious effects, but it will cut off the flow of God’s grace into your life. Satan will use it as a foothold to gain advantage over you, to point out that God is not as strong and loving toward you as you’d like to think He is.

There is simply no comfort in unforgiveness. It soothes nothing. It takes you nowhere. Why go on letting it eat you alive when God’s strength is so near at hand, so ready to bring you relief?

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Choosing Forgiveness: Moving from Hurt to Hope ©2022 Revived Hearts Foundation

Scripture taken from The CSB