24. March 2026

Practice Forgiveness

2/23/2026

I smiled at a co-worker and said, “good morning.”  She responded, “I don’t know how you are always in such a good mood.  It wasn’t the first time I had heard that.  I knew why.  God had filled me with joy.  Joy that overflowed and that joy comes from not holding onto grudges and hate.  God sent his son to die for me.  He sent his son, I can’t imagine losing my son.  He is a point of immense joy in my life. But God was willing to give up His Son to reconcile me to Him.

I know that I need to extend that same forgiveness to all those around me.

Matthew 18:35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

God knows that we can’t live in peace if we hold hate in our heart.

In a meta-analysis of 83 studies with over 39,000 participants found that individuals who practice forgiveness experience higher subjective well-being, greater life satisfaction, more positive emotions, and fewer negative emotions, directly contributing to increased happiness.

God knows what is good for us and we have to practice forgiveness.  It’s not easy but God working through us can provide us the ability to forgive. 

Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

I’m a teacher and I teach history and there is a story that is just unbelievable but true.

Corrie ten Boom and her family hid Jews in their home during WWII.  They were eventually arrested and Corrie and her family were sent to concentration camps.  Her sister and father died in camp.  She was eventually freed.

Later in life she was speaking at a church in Germany and a man approached her and said “I have become a Christian and I know God has forgiven me…. But I would like to hear it from you.”  She recognized him as one of the cruel guards at Ravensbrück. 

She took his hand and chose to forgive him, she said she felt a powerful sense of peace and love flooded her heart. 

God can change your heart and He brings healing, peace and love into your life.