More Forgiving Needed (Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV)

 

Why is forgiving someone else so very difficult!?  Our hearts get into twisted knots of resistance, even to the point of disasterous ends at times.

One statement in the 2026 NECF Malaysia Fast & Pray booklet devotion for Day 29 puts it like this ...

" ... forgetting mercy hardens the heart."

So when the tug-of-war in our hearts twists and pulls, let's remember God's mercy and grace, and humbly bow to our Lord who forgives us (see 1 John 1:9).

Let's get rid of all our bitterness, wrath and anger.  And as that NECF author continued ...

"Humility remembers the grace we have received, not merely the wrongs we have suffered."

I like that.  It's good to know and remember.  To me, it is a powerful statement.  We tend, or at least, I tend, to harbor all those wrongs.

More surrendering to our Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit's convictions and prompts are needed, thus drawing us towards enough humility to bend our knees in repentance and being able to forgive, even the seemingly unforgivable.

It may take time, but as we do bow to our Savior and use His grace, the needed forgiveness will come.  At least it did for me ...

If not, ask Him to teach you.

Then we can have a fresh start after the "I forgive you's."

In flower language it is said that white tulips speak of forgiveness, peace and a fresh start, while purple hyacinths say, "I forgive you."   Note the above accompanying poster of some of these AI generated flowers in a Ming Dynasty vase.  Perhaps they can help you see the beauty in forgiveness whether you are the forgiver or the forgiven.

Bye for now ...

                                          ~  ERC  September 2026  ~

Based on Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV.

Song, Forgiveness, along with Matthew West and Forgiveness, along with Paramore - Hayley Williams.  (These two songs may be a bit more than what one may be used to as far as the 'tunes', that are not traditional hymn music but the sentiments are what 'say it all'.)