Forgiving – Day 25 of the Love Dare

Forgiving – Day 25 of the Love Dare.  A challenge that must be taken seriously, as forgiveness has to happen or a successful marriage will not.  As this challenge says, forgiveness is a hard one; so easier said than done especially when the same wrongs are repeated over and again. I too have been guilty of keeping a “mental list” of all the wrongs that have been done to me. And let me tell you it is SO TRUE that it keeps you in a prison of sadness, bitterness and sometimes hatefulness. But as it’s said – forgiveness is the only way out. Give it all to The Lord for “Vengeance is His” and He is the only one who can set you free.

Day 25 – Forgiveness

What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sake in the presence of
Christ ~ 2 Corinthians 2:10

THE DARE – Whatever you haven’t forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to “forgive us for our debts” each day, we must ask Him to help us “forgive our debtors” each day as well. Unforgiveness has been keeping you and your spouse in prison too long. Say from your heart, “I choose to forgive.”

This one is tough. It is a challenge that must absolutely be taken seriously. Forgiveness has to happen, or a successful marriage won’t.

When you think of unforgiveness, this is what should come to mind, for Jesus said “my heavenly father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:35

Imagine finding yourself in a prison like setting. You see people from your past incarcerated there, people who wounded you as a child. This prison, you see, is a room inside your own heart. This dark, drafty, depressing chamber exists inside you every day. But Jesus is standing nearby, extending to you a key that will release every inmate. He’s telling you to forgive them all.

YOUR UNFORGIVENESS, ANGER & BITTERNESS MAKES YOU A PRISONER

But in trying to escape, you make a startling discovery. There is no way out. You’re trapped inside with all the other captives. Your unforgiveness, anger, bitterness have made a prisoner of you as well.

Forgiveness doesn’t resolve anyone of blame or clear the record with God. It just clears you of having to worry about how to punish them. When you forgive another person, you’re not declaring them innocent. You’re just turning them over to God. You’re saving yourself the trouble of scripting anymore arguments or trying to prevail in this situation. It’s not about winning and losing anymore. It’s about freedom. It’s about letting go. Extending the mercy you have been given, because bitterness will poison and drain the vitality out of any relationship. You will find the stale dankness of the prison house is flooded with light and coolness, and for the first time in a long time, you feel at peace. You feel free.

RELEASE YOUR ANGER AND LEAVE THE PUNISHING TO THE LORD

But how do you do it? You release your anger and responsibility for judging and punishing this person to The Lord. For it is written “vengeance is mine, I will repay says The Lord” Romans 12:19

How do you know you’ve done it? You know it when the thought of their name or the sight of their face causes you to feel sorry for them.

Great marriages are not produced by people who never hurt each other, only by people who daily choose to keep “no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5

Did you like FORGIVING – Day 25 Of The Love Dare 40 Day Challenge?  Let me know what you think.  And if you missed any of the other days, check out the The Love Dare series here, where I’m going through the 40 days myself.  Much love