"I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him." Luke 15:18-20NKJV
Do you forgive quickly, or does it take some time of negotiating with yourself before you come to the conclusion?
I have read the story of The Prodigal Son many times, but today I realized the great power of forgiveness it foretells.
· Power to heal the wound
· Power to break bondage
· Power to produces love
· Power to develop compassion for mercy
I have often been on the side of forgiving another. I found the moment I forgave, I took part in a harvest that celebrated my life.The moment we are offended, it would be prudent to find a mirror. Take a good look in it, and see the refection of our shortcomings. This process would eventually produce forgiveness in our heart for that one who offended us.
Unforgiveness hurts you and stifles your Christian walk. Satan uses offences and the thorn of unforgiveness to make you unproductive.
Today, as you approach God in prayer, ask Him to reveal any unforgiveness in your heart. Then, ask Him to replace it with the needed compassion for forgiving. God shared this with me: "Marilyn, the evidence of true forgiveness is the absence of pain when you remember." Use this as a barometer against unforgiveness. It works.