Unforgiveness will destroy the soil of our heart and keep us from growing and producing godly fruit in our lives. We forgive others, not because we feel like it, but because our eternity depends on it. 

Matthew 6:14-15 says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

We cannot risk the detrimental consequences of unforgiveness left unchanged. We must commit ourselves to forgiving others by daily repenting of our unforgiveness, boldly declaring our forgiveness of the offender, and choosing to call forth blessings in their lives. In other words,

When someone cuts you off in traffic, forgive anyway.
When someone bumps into you in line, forgive anyway.
When someone starts rumors or spreads slander, forgive anyway.
When someone betrays your confidence, forgive anyway.
When someone steals from you, forgive anyway.
When someone devalues your worth, forgive anyway.
When someone insults your identity, forgive anyway.
When someone takes advantage of you, forgive anyway.
When someone harms your family, forgive anyway.
When someone abuses you, forgive anyway.
When someone lies to you, forgive anyway.
When someone intentionally wounds you, forgive anyway.

And it’s not just strangers we need to forgive. Sometimes the hardest to forgive are those we call family.

When your parents abandon you, forgive anyway.
When your husband neglects you, forgive anyway.
When your children reject you, forgive anyway.
When your relatives mistreat you, forgive anyway.
When your family doesn’t support you, forgive anyway.

There are so many ways we can be challenged by unforgiveness, and the circumstances can range from subtle to severe. But the Word of God is clear—we forgive others for the sake of our souls. We forgive others because true freedom is found in forgiveness. But, perhaps the most important of all, we forgive because God has forgiven us and calls us to do the same. 

“Father, I repent from holding onto unforgiveness towards __________. Instead of allowing the bitter root of unforgiveness to sink into my soul, I choose to forgive __________. Help me to let go of the desire to hold onto these offenses. I choose to bless them, instead. May your wisdom pour into their lives and may their lives be blessed by Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, amen.