January 17

DAY THIRTEEN: FORGIVENESS

Devotion: Just as God has graciously forgiven us, He also requires us to extend forgiveness generously to others. We have been given an incredible gift, one that enables us to offer forgiveness towards others and the opportunity to give a taste of the grace that was so generously offered to us. Forgiveness is easily one of the toughest things to do! The hurt, betrayal, and frustrations others have caused are true and great. However, that pain is poison. Unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness will rot us from the inside out. By forgiving others, we aren't saying that what they did was justified, but when we release their case to God, we free the only prisoner we have control over: ourselves.

Reflection: In what ways am I trapped by my own unforgiveness?

Prayer: Father, help me release others the same way that You released me. In Your power, I choose to no longer allow unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness to hold me back from the healthy lifestyle that You have called me to live. I not only release any person, situation, or group of people who have hurt me, but I bless them, too.