“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you”       ( Col 3:13)

Jane and Susan were buddies at school, and tight on the playfield. Jane was an outdoor person who thrived while out in the yard. Susan was bookish and always scored better grades. One day sarrounded by a group of girls, Jane inclusive, Susan threw out a careless remark- “those with low scores are just lazy!” Though it was a general remark Jane took it personal. It hurt her for Susan to paint such a crude brush on her school performance.

Jane did not express herself as freely as Susan. So, she just held on to her wound, nursing it. As she sat on it the wound grew. Now whenever she met Susan at the playfield she was not as free. She started drawing away from her. Once tight buddies they were no more. It is because Jane was chewing on what Susan had said and held on to the hurt bitterly.

Meanwhile Susan was apparently not even aware of the hurt her careless words had caused. But she noticed her once close buddy was no longer forthcoming.

Then one day Jane wonderd why she had let herself hurt over Susan’s remarks so much. She picked up, went and shared with Susan how her words had hurt her. Susan had not been aware and quickly apologised! Jane forgave Susan and felt free no longer carrying the wound of bitterness.

When Jesus said, “Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive” ( Luke 17:4) he was offering us the best therapy. There are many people hurting over wounds caused by once someone close. Instead of going to the person to talk over and forgive, they are loosing a lot of sleep.

Forgivenes is powerful because it frees you. Jesus is saying go over to the one who hurt you and forgive. Then live the free victorous life in Christ.

Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I choose and decide to forgive any person who hurt me, for through forgivenes I am no longer a captive of bitterness, but free in Christ, this I pray in Jesus’s name.