Forgiveness is key!

    Trisha battled with a number of issues in her life. She was addicted to alcohol, an atheist and a racist. However, when she cried out to the same God she did not believe in, God gradually turned her life around. He delivered her from alcohol, He brought her to the point where she believed in Him and realised that He was the only One who had the power to bring about much needed change in her life. One final stronghold, however, she had to deal with - that of racism and unforgiveness. This one caught my attention. To make it even more interesting, God sent her to study at a seminary with predominantly black students. Initially she was uncomfortable but she was able to describe it as one of the most transformative and beautiful experiences of her life. It was in that school that God helped her see that everyone was made in God’s image and has purpose and value. As God prompted her, she humbly reached out to various persons in her past and asked their forgiveness.
    Forgiveness is no easy task. It is a choice that goes beyond feelings and emotions. It’s about obedience to God’s Word which encourages us to forgive. It certainly is not accomplished by our own efforts. For some it can be easy to do, but for many of us, it’s downright difficult. Only God can give us the ability to do the impossible. 
    I remember here the story of Joseph and his brothers in the book of Genesis. Joseph was the favoured son of his father, Jacob, because he was born when Jacob was very old (Genesis 37:3). It didn’t help that Joseph had a dream about his family bowing to him. This made his brothers hate him even more (v.5) and when they got the opportunity, they sold him to some Midianite merchants who in turn sold him in Egypt to one of the king’s officials (v.36). While in Egypt, Joseph faced imprisonment and unfair treatment, yet, God’s favour was always upon him. He finally received a promotion that put him in a position to help the same brothers who had mistreated him.
    The bible gives no details about Joseph’s feelings during his ordeal but his choice to show love to his brothers even though they had done him wrong, is a perfect example of his choice to forgive them even though they may not have deserved it. 
    Ironically, that’s exactly what God has done for each of us. He has chosen to forgive us even though we don’t deserve it. He sent His Son, Jesus to die on the cross so that we could escape the consequences of our sinful actions. Forgiveness is not an easy task but it is a necessary one. Many of us struggle with it yet, I have learned that the only One who has the power to help me forgive is God Himself. It’s not something I can easily do on my own. I have struggled for years and even now still struggle  at times, yet, God is teaching me to let things go. The choice to forgive takes a weight off of you. I have experienced this personally. But the reality also is that forgiveness is the basis of our salvation experience. God forgave us and chose to wipe our slate clean. We need to do the same for others and we also need to forgive ourselves. 
    Are you struggling in this area? Ask God for help. We can’t do it on our own. We need God’s enabling power and ability to help us do what seems and feels impossible. It’s not about our ability but God’s. We just have to choose to be obedient to His will and desire to forgive and then trust Him to help us to do it. Even in this, God is able.
    If you have not asked Jesus Christ to come into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God has forgiven us and wants us to do the same for others. Yet, God does not expect us to do it on our own. He knows we need His help and support and is more than willing to help if we would just ask. Trust Him to help you do what seems impossible. Trust that even in this, He is right there willing and able to help you do what He has asked you to do.
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