Flexible Forgiveness
Posted in Daily Focus on Sunday, March 2, 2014
"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins" (Isaiah 43:25).
I was always thankful as a homeschooling parent that God designed children to be flexible. Every day I saw my children survive falls and painful bruises that would have made me ache for days. Their ability to bounce back physically from rough and tumble wrestling matches and foolish dare-devil antics was amazing. Even more amazing, however, was the way my children bounced back from emotional hurts. When the stress of the homeschooling day got to me, I repeatedly found myself seeking their forgiveness for my unloving words and impatient actions. Each time my children would quickly say, "That's OK, I understand," and everything would be forgotten. Humbled by their gracious words, I knew my forgiveness wouldn't have come so easily if someone had treated me the same way.
As wonderful as a child's forgiveness may be, the forgiveness we receive from our heavenly Father is far greater. The sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross makes forgiveness of sin possible, but only those who receive Christ's forgiveness have the privilege of being called God's children (John 1:12). Each day God's immeasurable grace is poured out to us, and we receive the blessing of knowing our sins are remembered no more.
Are you dealing with an emotional hurt that has been causing you severe pain? Is your heart flexible enough to bounce back and forgive the person who has wronged you? If not, learn the lesson of flexible forgiveness from your children and extend the same hand of grace that was given to you. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).
Father, thank You for Your forgiveness that also forgets my sin. Please, help me to give that same love and forgiveness to those who have wronged me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Comments(10 comments)
ELIZABETH J 03/03/2010 00:05:14
My children have been very flexible! I find myself at least once a week saying ''baby mommy's sorry'', I don't think I ever heard that growing up and maybe that's want my kids to understand is that mommy's just like everyone else makes mistakes and we are no exception to the rule when it comes to apolagizing!!!
ELAINE P 03/02/2011 07:42:32
As a new home school mom. I always worry, I am doing things correctly? Am I teaching them enough? Am I teaching them the right things?
I stress out, and plead with the kids to bear with me. My oldest son (16) reassures me quite often and reminds me of something I said after our second month of schooling. "It's like having a new baby in the house. Some days you've got it all together and things are going well. Other days not so good. But after a while things fall into place and you get the hang of it".
This post and all the others are a great source of encouragement!
ANGIE W 03/02/2011 08:18:51
Don't worry Elizabeth J, your not the only one apolagizing to your kids. I have to do it too. I agree I wish I would have heard that when I was little. I guess that's why I'm so different with my kids. My parents weren't terrible, but I wouldn't raise them like I was raised. I grew up with a stepdad, mom remarried when I was 2. It wasn't the worst childhood either, BUT it wasn't the greatest. I carry alot of hurt with me tucked away in my heart, but I forgive them. Most of my other family (grandma, aunts and uncles) just don't understand how I can have any kind of relationship with my dad, but who am I not to forgive. God forgives me for the things I do, so why shouldn't I do the same? That is why I'll be the first to say "I'm Sorry" to my kids. I've got 3 daughters and a son and I don't want them growing up carrying the same kind of hurt that I have experienced in my lifetime. I learned growing up that I didn't want to make the same mistakes my parents did, so with God's help, He will help me be a better parent and a better person along the way. Thank you Lord for a healing heart and being quick to forgive us of our sins. This devotional really hit home for me.
AMY K 03/02/2011 08:27:26
Really heart convicting! I just recent heard a sermon preached and a statement made was:
"God uses those "hurts" in our live to cause us to grow. This is the time to rely on Him."
REGINA C 03/02/2011 15:58:09
Hey Angie W I agree with you....and add
When we look to the cross Jesus died on and ALL the suffering He went through before hand and still what did He say? "Father FORGIVE them, for they no not what they do." How can we be so self-centered as to not forgive others when He has forgiven us the most. He showed us there that no matter what we experience in life, He alone has the power to help us forgive when we think we can't. Besides our unforgiveness only hurts us.
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me! I must choose to forgive even if I don't feel like it. There are souls at stake.
Absolutley AmyK- through many situations one of the first questions I will ask is...What does God want me to learn from this?...I take it as He says He will do-work all things for my good- even when it hurts. Plus I go back to times when I have failed and was shown mercy by others and God Himself. We can do no less!
I'm not responsible for their behavior but I am responsible for my response.
Thank you for these devotionals! Sometimes I don't want to hear it but glad you still print it! Have a great day!
AMY M 03/02/2012 07:30:13
I am glad I am not the only one that slips up, although I am sorry others do. Our crazy schedule of having my husband in seminary with one car causes us to do a lot of running around to get him to school and my son to his homeschool classes at the Christian Consortium. By the time we get home Mon. through Wed. we are allready exhausted then have to start school and it is so easy to snap in impatience. I am constantly asking for forgiveness or praying. Thank you for your encouragement.
RHONDA F 03/02/2012 12:00:57
After much trial and error, I\'ve found that if I don\'t obey the \"whole\" Word of God, then I\'m only deceiving myself. I learned that if I\'m not willing to forgive AND forget as God does (Isaiah 43:25), then all of my efforts to forgive are futile. I only end up reminding myself at a more convenient time of the offenses of others, and still end up with an attitude of unforgiveness. Funny thing though....my children never ever remind me of my offenses against them. They don\'t ever hold a grudge against me. I believe that\'s the way God intended for His children to be with one another.
DENISE M 03/02/2012 22:02:59
Amen Rhonda, you hit it right on the spot. As much as we are forgiven from our heavenly father we should extend that same forgiveness to others.I think God for the truth which will always set you free.
KATHY SPIELER 03/02/2013 14:35:21
"Forgiveness is not for them, it's for you"
These words always ring in my head from a Tyler Perry movie.
But it is true, when we hold grudges, the hate in our hearts makes us sick, and farther away from God.
When we forgive, we are not feeling separtaed from God, and our hearts don't hurt quite so much.
Saying "I'm sorry" and "I forgive you" are two key phrases to Freedom, and well being.
shelly mccreary 03/03/2013 19:12:52
Thank you so much for this message. It's just what I needed to hear. Forgiveness is the key.