Several years ago, I had a difficult time letting go of a past hurt. To be honest, it wasn’t one of my most painful moments. The issue wasn’t even so much what was done, but who did it. Someone from church, who I considered a friend, hurt my feelings.

I would take the offense to God and release it in prayer. But then the reminders would replay, and I would again wallow in self-pity and anger. I wanted everyone else to see what this person did, to put their failures on a big movie screen.

I wanted the preacher to announce in church, and to the entire world, what this person was really like. Ah, the satisfaction as everyone would be shocked at that person’s failure and moved to compassion for me … the poor, injured party.

However, as I was running this scenario through my mind and taking it to its grand conclusion, I realized there was a major problem.

Would I want to be judged in the same way?

Oh, my goodness – no! Yet, I was asking God for punishment beyond what I would ever want for myself.

If I actively seek grace from my Savior, should I not actively give grace to others?

Jesus said, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15, NLT).

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me to freely forgive others as You have forgiven me.

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