READ: MATTHEW 18:21-22; EPHESIANS 4:32; COLOSSIANS 3:13

Dear Unforgiveness,

I nurtured you after someone hurt me. You grew in the soil of my misery, and I watered you each day with anger and frustration.

Like ice, you crept into my heart, teaching me to shut people out, afraid of future disappointments. You are a storm twisting within, causing confusion. Like fire, you flare up and draw pictures of those I have failed to forgive. The thoughts of them spiral inside me like a movie, re-enacting the scenes over and over again.

The problem is, you are wounding me. The rage that prowls inside and the sadness that creeps in—they warn me I cannot carry on like this.

But you are impossible to give up. I know the only way to conquer this is to open up my heart to God and allow Him to carry the burden of you, Unforgiveness, trusting Him to take care of all my hurts. I am praying to Jesus, asking Him to melt the bitterness and heal me—praying I will rest in the grace He’s given me and extend that grace to others.

Now, it is time to say goodbye to you. Unforgiveness, I am letting you go. In Christ, I’m finally breaking free. • Cindy Lee

• Forgiving someone who has hurt you is a challenging process, and it doesn’t always mean trusting the other person, especially in a dangerous situation. But if you know Jesus, forgiveness is possible because His Holy Spirit lives in you and will empower you day-by-day to forgive others as God has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32). If you’re struggling with forgiveness, who is a trusted Christian—such as a parent, pastor, or counselor—you can talk with about it?

• What emotions has unforgiveness caused in your life? Consider taking some time to write them down and talk to Jesus about them. He cares about all your hurts, and He weeps over them. You can trust Him to heal you,and to fill you with His loveforall people.

• How could it be helpful to remember that we have all sinned, and God has promised to bring justice for every wrongdoing—whether at the cross or on the Judgment Day? (Luke 23:32-43; Romans 3:23-27; 5:8; 12:14-21; 2 Peter 3:9-13)

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)