Forgiveness is on my heart this morning. When forgiveness is a core value, we become unoffendable. Jesus forgave us on the cross. Boom. We’re forgiven- even for stuff we haven’t done yet. This doesn’t mean we abuse grace, grieving His heart and then sin on purpose. We are already forgiven. His kindness leads us to repentance. We don’t repent to be forgiven, we repent because we are. This reinforces that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Love for Him postures our hearts to want to live in communion with Him. So when someone offends you, don’t pick up a mud ball of offense and get dirty with them. Forgive them right away and love them. If they’ve abused you, lied to you, cheated, stolen, betrayed you in the worst ways- holding on to hatred only grows resentment, mistrust, and anxiety in your heart and mind. Forgiving doesn’t mean you’re agreeing with their behavior or treatment of you. It’s ensuring that heaven will come and fight for you. God makes all things new, but we have to partner with His truth to be united in love. I pray against any strongholds in your life that have been caused by picking up an offense and holding onto it for dear life thinking it somehow protects you from the pain. Nay nay. It compounds the pain, and keeps your soul imprisoned. God is our shield and our deliverer.

Pray with me,
Dear Jesus, I forgive __ for hurting me. For breaking my heart and my trust. Come with Your peace as I forgive them now. I lay this situation at Your feet, Jesus. I trust that You are working it out for my benefit and my good. Help me to see this person as You see them. I replace my offense with love for my enemy. Protect anyone else they may seek to harm, and heal them from whatever makes them hurt others the way they do. Thank You for restoring what the moths and locusts have eaten, and for making beauty from these ashes as You promise in Your word. Amen.