God’s gift . . .

Forgiveness 

God’s mercy and grace lead to forgiveness . . . Have you ever asked for mercy in a situation in your life? . . . Do you even know what you’re asking for?  . . . Do you know that you’re asking for compassion or forgiveness from someone who has the power to punish or harm you? 

God has that power, yet God knows we are not perfect and all of us will fall short of His glory . . . He knows you and I are sinners, yet in His mercy, God sent His son to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins so that we are forgiven . . . YOU ARE FORGIVEN.

What does “to forgive” and “to be forgiven” mean to you?

Forgiveness is a conscious, deliberate decision to release, or let go of feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether the forgiveness is truly deserved . . . Mercy and grace help us understand God’s forgiveness to us, and the need for our forgiveness to others. 

Forgiveness is the lifeblood of Christianity; it is the heart of the gospel . . . We are all sinful—God is just and fair . . . God also loves us and is merciful toward us . . . Jesus came to earth as a man to live a sinless life and was crucified . . . It’s through His crucifixion and His resurrection that forgiveness is possible for each and every one of us . . . All past, present, and future sins are forgiven through your belief, and my belief, and faith in Christ. 

“Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus
there is forgiveness for your sins. 
Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—
something the law of Moses could never do.”
Acts 13:38-39

When you experience grace and mercy, the next step is to realize, to accept that you have been forgiven by God . . . but have you forgiven yourself? . . . Others? 

How do you expect to be gracious to others, more loving, and forgiving, if you can’t bring yourself to forgive?  . . . The ability to forgive is something that permeates your being and pours out of you . . . either positively because you can, or damagingly because you can’t or won’t. 

Do you desire to be made right in God’s eyes? 

Are you ready to let “forgiveness” into your life, to touch your heart and soul? 

“If you forgive those who sin against you,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.”
Matthew 6:14

Start with yourself . . . Humble yourself and your pride and ask God for forgiveness, then move forward . . . Take a deep breath in, and then release all the tension that comes with unforgiveness . . . Let it out, then repeat and repeat, and repeat until you believe in yourself and your willingness to forgive . . . It won’t hurt—it will soothe the soul and release your heart and soul to be free to heal . . . Then forgive others in the same way. 

When you can forgive, you won’t change the past, so let it stop controlling you . . . but you will change the future and your ability to live more fully in Christ. 

Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred.
It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.
(Corrie Ten Boom)

When you can forgive, it is like opening the window to the sunshine and fresh air outside—draw the curtains back, come out of the darkness, and breath in new, clean positive energy.

INSIGHT . . .

You and I are forgiven . . . There is nothing you or I can do that will ever cause God to love us less . . . He may not always “like” what we are doing, but He will never love you less . . . Look at what He has already done for you . . . See the mercy in Christ’s eyes as He died for you . . . so that you may live for eternity. 

When you are hard on yourself, when you think you aren’t good enough, whose eyes are you judging yourself through—yours, other people?  . . . It’s time to look at yourself through Christ’s eyes instead—to see yourself as He sees you! 

There are two kinds of sand my grandchildren like to play with . . . One is loose and dry and becomes dusty in the wind . . . The other is also ordinary sand—like you and I are ordinary—but the “ordinary” is held together by an additional substance that makes it extraordinary, makes it “special” . . . God takes our “ordinary” and holds us together, makes us “special” when we believe, trust, and depend on Him . . . Look at yourself through His eyes, through the eyes of the one who has created you as His extraordinary child.

We know that forgiveness is not always easy, but it is necessary—both forgiveness of others and self-forgiveness . . . There is no peace without forgiveness—the kind of peace that helps you go forward with life . . . God forgave our sins, and we are to forgive others—that’s His will for our lives. 

To move forward after being betrayed or hurt by someone else, you have to be willing to let go of the resentment, bitterness, hurt, and anger . . . This is a choice . . . Holding on to any of that hurts you far more than it hurts the offender, the one who hurt you. 

Hopefully you know these words, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” . . . My dad was a strong family man who never met a stranger and made friends everywhere . . . you can imagine my surprise when I found out, after my grandfather’s death (his dad), how bitter, and angry, and wounded he was from his relationship with his dad . . . I never saw it . . . Dad held it deep inside . . . It was several years after he started attending church and going to Men’s Bible studies when he realized he needed to forgive his dad, for his own peace . . . He ended up writing his dad a letter, got all his feelings down on paper, then gave it to God . . . It made a difference in his life. 

Forgiveness is about empowering yourself,
rather than empowering your past.
(T. D. Jakes)

Forgiveness is about our own growth, the ability to find joy in life, and to be free to live in the present without anger, contempt, or the desire to seek revenge . . . There is so much more to life if you can give all the hurt to God.

How’s your heart when it comes to forgiveness?  . . . Extra soft to rigid . . . Which one are you?  . . . Too soft to hold any convictions or shape? . . .  Too rigid and firm to allow anyone else into your life, including God? . . . or are you somewhere in between—where the Lord can mold you and shape you in the way that “seems best to Him.” . . . Then there is forgiving yourself . . . Forgiving yourself is letting go of what you’re holding against yourself—so that you can move on with God . . . Do you need to forgive you?

INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . .

It is critical that we continually talk with God through prayer . . . With forgiveness, we need His guidance and support over and over again. 

How pliable are you in God’s hands? 

Is there someone you need to forgive in your life?
Is there someone who has hurt you and it’s hard to let it go?

Ask God what He desires of you when it comes to forgiveness—then listen for the answer . . . Forgiveness is not a feeling . . . Remember, it’s a choice, a decision made in order to do what is right before God . . . It’s also a valuable decision that won't always be easy, but it is a “right” decision . . . so ask God to guide you. 

Write it down . . .

Where is a lack of forgiveness hindering your future?
                             What do you need to forgive yourself for?

Talk with God, pray and listen to what He tells you . . . then let it go! 

Forgiveness is not a weakness—it takes a very strong person to be able to forgive.

Pray to God to help you understand forgiveness, so that you can be honest with yourself . . . When we recognize our imperfections, admit our failures, we can plead to God for mercy and compassion . . .  He hears each of us in our repentance, and smiles. 

“If we confess our sins to him,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
1 John 1:9

‍ILLUMINATION . . .‍ ‍

Remember the erasers of your childhood—pink pearl, chalk board erasers, small, large, rectangular—many colors, types, sizes, and shapes—all with one objective, to remove a mark from sight, forever.‍‍ ‍

Are there parts of your life story you would like to rewrite, or erase, in order to change the outcome?  . . . This is out of your control and mine, but God has an eraser of His own . . . God’s eraser is an instrument of comfort and forgiveness . . . Through forgiveness, God permanently and forever erases words of condemnation, blame, and hurt . . . He replaces those words with promises of hope, love, and praise, and writes words of truth on your soul. ‍‍ ‍

Let God write your story—your faith story, your love story, your story of hope, your life story, your forgiveness story . . . Look at forgiveness through His eyes and follow His lead . . . Let Him help you love and be loved, make a difference in your life, and show someone else they are valuable too. ‍‍ ‍

Forgiveness is like faith—you have to keep renewing, refreshing, reinforcing, reviving, and sometimes reliving it . . . It is very easy to say you forgive, then take it back—again and again . . . but scripture reminds us . . . ‍‍ ‍

“Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”
Matthew 18:21a-22 ‍

If you find yourself in this position, actively ask God to help you forgive again . . . He is here for you, and you are not the only person to struggle with this . . . you aren’t alone in your struggles, so as you allow God to help you, also pray for those around you experiencing the same internal battles.‍‍ ‍

“You can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering
will save that person from death and
bring about the forgiveness of many sins.”
James 5:20

‍ ‍

INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .‍ ‍

Forgiveness . . . Let go—
listen to music that sets your heart and soul free.
(Amanda Fernandez)

I encourage you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.‍‍ ‍

♪♬♪ Current . . .  O Come to the Altar‍ ‍

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7WN_Swsmlk&list=RDE7WN_Swsmlk&start_radio=1‍ ‍

♪♬♪ Praise & Worship . . .  Amazing Love (You Are My King)‍ ‍

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sziyvaHyA4s&list=RDsziyvaHyA4s&start_radio=1‍ ‍

♪♬♪ Traditional . . . Jesus Paid It All ‍

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaZbqDd33Yw&list=RDiaZbqDd33Yw&start_radio=1

‍ ‍

INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .

Peace comes with forgiveness—that all-encompassing “I can finally relax” peace that you feel throughout your whole body . . . Forgiveness is freedom . . . We need to be reminded of this often.

Forgiveness doesn’t make the other person right,
it makes you free.
(Stormie Omartian)

Forgive yourself for your faults and your mistakes and move forward . . .  Give others a break too and quit being so hard on them
. . . Let go of past wounds and stop nursing old grudges . . . Let go of it all, give it to God, and let Him provide you strength, so that you can leave it in His hands . . . so that you can leave it at the foot of the cross with Christ.

Remember, forgiveness is not a weakness—it takes a resilient person to be able to forgive ‍. . . God sees right through everything, so relax and let Him help you . . . There is no need to pretend with God—He can use you right where you are.

God knows that forgiveness of oneself is one of the hardest things to accomplish, and He will help you if you ask Him . . . The blessing of being forgiven and forgiving is the chance for a new beginning—a more hope-filled present and hope-filled future without the burdens of the past hanging upon your shoulders.

When forgiveness becomes a hurdle in your life that seems to be impossible to get over, remember that forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself—to forgive. ‍‍ ‍

Tightly close your eyes for a moment, and picture that hurdle falling over, easy to step over . . . When you open eyes, move beyond the hurdle, leave it behind, and take hold of forgiveness again.‍‍ ‍

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.”
Psalm 32:1‍ ‍

Are you ready to forgive? . . . to be forgiven?

Heavenly Father, we pray these words today from “Worthy is the Lamb” . . .‍ ‍

Thank you for the cross, Lord. Thank you for the price You paid.
Bearing all our sin and shame, in love You came and gave each of us amazing grace.
Thank you for this love, Lord. Thank you for the nail pierced hands.
Washed us in Your cleansing flow, now all we know is Your forgiveness and embrace.
Lord, we praise You and say—Amen.

~  +  ~  +  ~  +  ~    + +    ~  +  ~  +  ~  +  ~

Prayer Paths (written by Dr. Debbie Parcel)
is a weekly email letter designed to “fuel”
your active prayer life, help you stay engaged in
focused prayer, and encourage a
growing relationship with our Triune God. 

To receive Prayer Paths by emaileach week—send a request,
with your name and email,
to BarnabasRoad2025@gmail.com 

(Prayer Paths is offered through Barnabas Road Ministries) ‍