Day 24: Learn to Forgive Others

Dear Little Princess,

Because we live in a fallen world, you will have numerous opportunities to forgive others.  At times, people around you will do small things that irritate you.  You can choose to overlook the small offenses in love, or you can make a mountain out of a molehill and grow needlessly irritated.  I would always encourage you to seek to cover the offense.

Truthfully, you may find that forgiving little issues seems easy.  But I want you to remember that we cannot forgive anyone’s offenses, small or great, outside the working of the Holy Spirit.  It is only through our Heavenly Father’s example of forgiving us of our sins that we can hope to forgive others.  This is an extremely important point.

While I hope and pray that you never have to do this, I know plenty of Christian women who have had to forgive spouses, parents, or siblings of very serious sins.  Even if you find it easy to forgive small matters, sins of unfaithfulness and other deep issues will seem impossible.  And they are impossible to forgive without the Holy Spirit.  Remember, no one has been sinned against more than Christ, and yet He willingly forgave us of all our wrongdoing.  Because of His forgiving us, we can then forgive others.

This doesn’t mean that once all is forgiven, we’ll never have to deal with the consequences.  Christ forgave us, but we still have to live in this fallen world.  Forgiveness also does not mean that trust will be immediately restored.  But it is the first step toward restoration.

If we can learn to forgive as Christ has forgiven us, Little Princess, we will be setting examples for unbelievers and for future generations.  We cannot do it in our own strength, but what is impossible for us is possible with God.  Remember, you never know who is watching you. Your willingness to forgive might spur on someone else to follow your example.

Even if no one else sees you forgive, God does, and He will be faithful to help you fully forgive.

All my love,

Mommy