Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Are there times when you feel bitterness or anger toward someone? Maybe you hold some sort of grudge against someone. Do you remember what it was that caused you to feel this way? Maybe you do, maybe you don’t, but you hold onto that grudge anyway. Is there someone who you have distanced yourself from? In some way we have all felt these things and done these things. We are emotional beings. I know I have. I still remember the things that drove me to distance myself from my father, my earthly father. Now I wonder why I allowed that to happen.
It doesn’t matter the details; they are insignificant at this point. They were things that happened long ago, on both sides, I am sure. The point is I let these things drive a wedge between us and lost contact for many, many years. It took building a relationship with my Heavenly Father for me to learn I needed to rebuild my relationship with my earthly father. God has a way of doing this you see. He brings to light things that need repaired. The best way to repair a broken relationship? Prayer.
I started a long time ago talking with God about my relationship with my father. I prayed often to be reunited somehow to my father so I could apologize for anything I did that caused a riff. I forgave my father in my heart for everything I saw as something done wrong. It was important for me to ask for forgiveness by apologizing for everything I could have done. It took many years but God, in His time, answered that prayer. I was able to apologize and ask permission to have a relationship once again. Then I prayed to see my father and get a picture with him. God answered that one too.
I have learned through all this that forgiving someone in my heart starts a healing process. I never had to say to my father I forgave him. It was in my actions and how I presented myself to him that I believe he knows. It was more important for me to apologize for what I did to seek forgiveness for myself. By doing what I did, by asking God for His help, God sent me forgiveness and healing. My heart is at peace. God, in His mercy, forgives me for my sins so I need to forgive others. There is no point in holding a grudge against someone else. It hurts you, not them.
Through my growing relationship with God, my relationships here on earth are growing. We should all remember that God loves each of us and sent Jesus to pay the price we owe. Our debt is paid and He has forgiven us in such an amazing way. Love one another, forgive one another, show mercy. After all, that is what God has done for each of us. Thank you, Lord, for such mercy, forgiveness, and love!