FORGIVE... the powerful act of RELEASING another from the wrong they have done, the hurt they produced and the problems they caused...

I am not sure what was done to you...

I am not sure what harsh words were said to you...

I am not sure what lies were spoken about you...

I am not sure what promises were not kept to you...

I am not sure what another's actions have cost you...

BUT...

I am sure of this... HOLDING onto it will only hinder you... It won't help you...

FORGIVENESS is powerful... Because it takes the other party out of the equation and allows us to make a decision based upon what God has done FOR us and not what someone did TO us...

FORGIVENESS is releasing a person of owing you anything... from an apology to money... Once you have released them, you no longer look their way for a proper response...

Don't get me wrong -

FORGIVENESS doesn't erase what happened yesterday... but it does allow you to act as though it didn't...

FORGIVENESS doesn't mean you instantly forget... but it does take away the sting...

FORGIVENESS doesn't mean you let them hurt you again... but it does allow you to love again...

FORGIVENESS doesn't mean you move on easily... but it does allow you to move on...

FORGIVENESS doesn't mean it won't happen again... but it does prepare you for the next time it does...