A nd as you forgive men when they wrong you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, it means the forgiving Spirit of the Father is not in your heart and you are yet in your sins. A forgiving heart is a loving heart and a loving heart is a changed heart.

I think of the many times I have been wronged. Some of them so deeply violated me that their memories continue to haunt me. ‘Never again,’ I say to myself. And then I think of the times I have disappointed or outright wronged others. I feel my shame at such thoughts. I hope they have forgiven me and if not, I hope they will.

I know that when I forgive, I release the hurt, the pain, the anger and bitterness. I release the individual who offended me to God. And, something approaching a miracle though it may be, I release myself for God. Such release brings its sister, relief, and with relief, euphoria. Forgiveness then, is the elixir of contentment.

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