“Repay no one evil for evil. Have a regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” ( Romans 12:17-19).

When Joseph’s brother quite assured they had dispensed with him, one day out of nowhere, suddenly stood before him, he had a choice. Either to exact revenge or forgive. Once after a botched attempt to murder him only saved by selling him to slave traders ( Genesis 37: 18-34), God had miraculously blessed him to become the second most important official in Egypt after Pharaoh. “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt” ( Gen 41: 44).

It was now within his powers to order the death of his once tormentors. But after some lingering moments Joseph chose to forgive all!

What happened thereafter shows the power of forgiveness. God would shower even more blessings on Joseph’s life. He served profitably as Premier leaving behind a prosperous community.

Now think for a moment. If Joseph had not forgiven what would have been the consequences? He would have become a prisoner of his once captors being tortured with hate. This would have blocked blessings in his life as he would be tied down with how to inflict pain on his old captors. But by forgiving he freed himself of all that!

When Christ told us to forgive ( Mathew 18:21-22) actually it was for our good! We forgive because if we do not we are the ones who hurt ourselves most. More so, we deny ourselves the blessings that do come from forgiveness!

Of course if you have been hurt, and who hasn’t, forgiveness is a process. But in the end one must dig deep and rise above all the hurt and forgive - for God to release his blessing upon your life!

Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, forgiveness helps release blessings upon us, and may I with your power not hold on to the hurt where I have been done wrong, but forgive to experience your full blessings, this I pray in Jesus’ name.