Ready to forgive
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. ~ Psalms 86:5
I’ve had very few relationships in my life with people who were truly “ready to forgive.” Forgiveness often seems like a long process, requiring time and healing. Even as someone who considers themselves to be forgiving, I’ve had moments where I had to intentionally force myself to let go of an offense or wrong. Sometimes there are instances when the hurt wasn’t intentional—when the other person had no idea their words or actions wounded me. They were simply living life as they always have, unaware of the impact.
That’s why I love this verse in Psalms 86. It reminds me that our Heavenly Father is not only good but He is always ready to forgive. There’s no waiting, no hesitation, no conditions, except one: we must call upon Him and receive His love and forgiveness. He offers it immediately, without lectures, without reproach and without giving the “silent treatment” for a week first. His mercy is abundant to all who seek Him. He is simply amazing!
Yet, as His people, we often struggle to extend this same forgiveness to others. Why is it so difficult for us to let go of hurt and offenses, especially when we feel the other person should “make it right” first? Why do we hold on so tightly to our pain, even when we’ve been shown such boundless mercy and grace by God Himself? He is our perfect example and gives us the empowerment to follow His lead.
Here is a list of steps we can take to allow forgiveness to flow through our lives to others:
- Celebrate God’s forgiveness and take a moment to thank God for how quickly and abundantly He forgives you. Let His love fill your heart with gratitude. Spend time meditating on scriptures like Psalms 86:5. Let His readiness to forgive inspire you to take on the same attitude toward others.
- Pray for a forgiving heart and ask God to help you release any lingering hurt or bitterness. Pray for His strength to forgive, especially in situations where it feels impossible on your own.
- Practice forgiveness daily by starting with small steps. Let go of minor offenses quickly, and practice responding with grace, patience and understanding.
- Acknowledge the unintentional hurts by reminding yourself that the other person may not even realize it. Choose to extend grace as God does to you and do not feel the need to correct others. Instead, pray for the Holy Spirit to show them.
- Allow reconciliation to be your goal in every strained relationship. If an offense needs to be addressed, approach the person with humility and a desire for restoration, not revenge or to say who was right in the situation.
- Lastly, trust God with justice. Remember, forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing wrongdoing. Trust that God will handle what’s beyond your control. Your role is to release the burden and extend His mercy to others, always.
Today I want to encourage you to remember that forgiveness is a journey, but it’s one that brings freedom, peace, and a deeper connection with God. Always strive to be as ready to forgive as He is, trusting in His example and relying on His strength to do so. God is with you, ready to pour out His mercy and grace every step of the way. Remind yourself that when you forgive, you’re not just freeing someone else; you’re freeing yourself to live in the abundant joy and peace that only God can give.
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 86
1 Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me; For I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You!
3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long.
4 Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works.
9 All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name.
10 For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore.
13 For great is Your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, the proud have risen against me, and a mob of violent men have sought my life, and have not set You before them.
15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
16 Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
The Daily Dose 