really forgiving

“Come now, let us argue this out,”
says the Lord. “No matter how deep the stain
of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as
clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained
as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool.”

ISAIAH 1:18 (NLT)

Iwas reading a book a couple of months ago, and there was a chapter devoted to forgiveness. When I was reading it, I thought I had already forgiven everyone that had done something wrong to me in the past. But when I prayed about it, I realized I hadn’t. God brought to my attention several people I had never really forgiven. During that week I had forgiven a handful of people that had hurt me in some way, but I realized all I had really done was push those memories to the back of my mind and try to move on. When I forgave them, I felt a peace inside because it was for real this time. I realized that I can’t expect God to forgive me if I don’t forgive those who hurt me. Are you harboring unforgiveness in your heart? Ask God to help you forgive and forget, then move on with your life for Christ.

Katelyn Westfall, 15, Dover High School, Dover, OH

God, who do I need to forgive today?
Who am I holding a grudge against?
Teach me to forgive as You do.