Forgive and Forget

   “Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.” Proverbs 19:11 MSG

   I am going to share with you something very personal today because I believe the Lord wants me to, and I hope that it will help you.  Several years ago, I found out about my mother’s death on Facebook.  Through an unusual series of events, I woke up that morning, checked my smartphone, and discovered messages of condolences that were meant to encourage me. 

   The initial shock of finding out that my mother was dead had me reeling.  But then, I sensed the Holy Spirit warning me not to become angry or offended.  And He brought to my remembrance Proverbs 19:11 (NIV), which says, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”  I knew the Lord was strongly saying to me, “LET IT GO.”

   As I spent some time alone with God that morning, He showed me the Amplified translation of Proverbs 19:11: “Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, and it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].”  I could bear not seeking revenge, but to not be resentful toward the person responsible was unthinkable.  Even so, in obedience to God, I decided that I would not try to find out who the culprit was.  And to be honest, I still don’t know.  And you know what?  I actually have great peace about the whole situation, and I have almost completely forgotten about it. 

   The Message Bible translation of Proverbs 19:11 says, “Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.”  Today, I am asking you to resist getting offended when others hurt you or someone you love.  Show them the mercy that God has shown you in Christ, and know that as you sow seeds of mercy, you will reap a harvest of mercy when you need it most!

   Lord, remind me often that You said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Proverbs 5:7 NASB)  On the basis of Your Word, I pray that I would always be “gentle and ready to forgive” others, and that I would “never hold grudges.”  Help me to remember that because You have forgiven me, I “must forgive others.” (Colossians 3:13 TLB)  Thank You that as I continually walk in love, I will experience the indescribable peace, joy, and well-being that are my inheritance in Christ!

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