Proverbs 14:30,  "A heart at peace gives life to the body,"

Think

"Unleashing unforgiveness is unbelievable!" Have you ever tweaked your back, twisted an ankle, or hurt your knee, and rather than addressing the issue you just tried to deal with the pain? What often happens is that one small injury can affect the way you function in other areas. You end up walking with a limp or sitting in an odd position. And it can lead to a new problem or a more serious injury somewhere else. When we hold on to our unforgiveness, it results in bitterness that takes root in our heart. It affects us relationally, emotionally, and spiritually. But as Proverbs 14:30 says, when our heart is at peace, it has a life-giving impact throughout our whole body. When we forgive others, we experience a heart at peace, because we are connecting to the One who forgave us. The cross gives us the freedom to admit our own mistakes, to ask for forgiveness, and to forgive others who have sinned against us. The results are unbelievable! When we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, not only do we experience the forgiveness of sins; we also find that we have a new identity as a chosen, beloved, adopted, and redeemed child of God (Ephesians 1:3-14; Colossians 3:12-13). When we grasp the depth of God's love for us, we can let go of the pride, insecurity and defensiveness that keeps us from forgiving others.

Act

Test the power of forgiveness this week and see how you are changed. Maybe there is something big you are already thinking of, or maybe there is a small opportunity this week to admit you were wrong or to extend forgiveness to another.

Pray

Heavenly Father, please give me the eyes to see that Your love for me and Your payment for my sins on the cross unleashes a power to forgive others beyond my own strength. I pray You heal my heart and my whole self as I forgive others. In Jesus' name, Amen.