Scripture Reference So watches yourselves. “If your brother or sister[a] sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”- Luke 17:3-4
In relationships, our human nature makes it inevitable for offenses to happen. One party will always do something in a way not very pleasing to the other; this, in turn, takes a toll on the relationship if not properly handled. One sure way to properly handle offenses is the approach of forgiveness. Although it mostly doesn’t come easy, it is guaranteed a major step in restoring and maintaining the fire of a relationship. There is the aspect of forgiving a person to set yourself free, but here we will be focusing on forgiveness in terms of how much you love your spouse and how much you cherish your relationship.
Taking a random poll of divorces and broken relationships, it is apparent that the number one reason for breakups or separation is the inability to move past offenses. The English language has helped coin a term for that in what is now referred to as irreconcilable differences.
Homes almost never just break up overnight; they break by the culmination of one unattended offense after the other, gradually but surely weakening the walls of the relationship. Separation operates on the principle of a few droplets of water being the basic ingredients for creating a mighty ocean.
The truth is that offenses are hurtful; the pain is real whether emotional, psychological or even physical. It is worse when it comes from a loved one or someone held in high esteem.
But there is, however, a miracle called forgiveness. It has the power not just to rekindle the flames in a relationship, but also it reconciles all differences that may exist in your relationship and restores peace as though the offense never happened.
Of a truth, forgiving an offense could be more painful than the offense committed itself. It’s painful to let go of one’s right pay back the one who perpetuated the act of hurting but Jesus tells us it is a prerequisite to receiving forgiveness for our wrongs and moving forward in our relationships.
Choose to forgive today and watch your relationship begin afresh. It is one of the most expressive forms of Love.
Daily digest: Luke 17:1-37
Prayer: Dear Lord, give me a heart that is quick to forgive and the strength to move past offenses however hurtful they may be.
