Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-22 (King James Version)

21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

I've often heard, "I can't ever forgive that person for what they've done!" 

Forgiveness is a choice.  It's not a feeling. I might still feel mad, but I have to choose everyday to forgive someone that has hurt me.  When that person is brought to my mind and that hurt, I say, No, I choose to forgive that person and what they've done to me.  The pain of what they have done lessens with time, and often times I can extend grace to them remembering perhaps they aren't saved, they were going through something at the time, etc.

Back when we were in Alaska, dh helped a "friend" get a job there.  This person and his wife turned out not to be "friends".   It was a very difficult situation.  We had spent time together previously in Disneyland on vacation together along with other gatherings, etc.  When we left Alaska, one of the many reasons we left was because of what took place with this "friend".  We hadn't heard from them since.

The other night dh was on FB.  He found this "friend".  He sent him a message expressing some thoughts of what took place.  He got a reply back asking to call.  Dh contacted our "friend" last night.  He was truly repentive of what took place, and has been through some very difficult situations since. (without going into lots of details, divorce, drugs and prison are involved) Currently, he is going through many health issues, that could be life threating. 

I knew at that moment that dh told me about his health issues, that I had forgiven them.  All I wanted to do was pray for them and ask GOD to heal his body and to help the situations that they have gone through. I didn't remember the hurts of the past, I remembered the fun times we had.  I remembered sharing the LORD with them at breakfast in Disneyland. All I've been doing is thinking about them and praying for them since dh told me what's going on. 

I would ask that you would pray for them too.  GOD knows the details, so please pray as your heart leads.

Blessings until next time!