The Fruit of Our Forgiveness: Gratitude
When I wrote Chapter 6 in You Are Forgiven, I shared a very personal, very painful story. To some who have read it, it might not have seemed like that big of a deal. But they didn’t experience it. They didn’t see the look of hurt in my daughter’s eyes. They didn’t feel the pain of letting her down. But I did. And even re-reading the story brought fresh tears to my eyes. But I chose to share this painful story because of what it illustrates: the power of a forgiving heart.
“It feels good to be forgiven. No matter how hard we try, no matter how super we think we can be, we all miss the mark from time to time. Life is messy and disappointing, and at times we hurt those we never intend to. And that’s where grace and forgiveness come into play.” – You Are Forgiven, p. 153
So maybe that’s the silver lining when we know we need to be forgiven: what forgiveness does to our heart when it has been given to us.
Hearing those words from Addie ushered in love and healing to my hurting mama’s heart. I experienced the freedom found in forgiveness, and it made me want to be generous with my forgiveness in return. Had I not experienced the pain of letting her down and the forgiveness she extended to me, I wouldn’t have understood the power of forgiveness first hand.
King David understood the power of forgiveness, too.
In Psalm 103 David writes:
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion- Psalm 103:2-4
God’s forgiveness gives us much to be grateful for in our lives. He forgives, heals, redeems and crowns us with love and compassion.
He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. – Psalm 103:10 NIV
How can our lives not be characterized by anything but love, grace, and gratitude when we’ve been given and forgiven so much?!
So here’s the deal: let’s put these last few weeks into action. Out of gratitude for the forgiveness we have been granted by God, let’s extend forgiveness to those in our lives who have hurt us.
Maybe it was a small thing in the world’s eyes, but it still penetrated deep in your heart and you know you’ve been harboring a grudge against that person ever since. Maybe today is the day to forgive that person.
Maybe it was harsh words spoken to you by a parent, sibling, or a friend and those words keep coming to mind, again and again, injuring you with each recalled memory.
Maybe it was the rejection you experienced either as a child or as an adult, and the poison from that rejection has been tainting all of your relationships moving forward.
Maybe it was the physical abuse you endured, and the nightmares that have followed.
Or maybe it is you. Maybe you are the one who needs to extend forgiveness to yourself.
Whoever or whatever the circumstances, this week let’s choose gratitude for the amazing gift of forgiveness that God gives to us and in doing so, extend forgiveness to that certain individual(s) God has been placing on your heart these last few weeks.
I know it’s not easy. I know it can be scary and it hurts even thinking about forgiving that individual. For some of you, depending on what you need to forgive, maybe your first step this week is just going to your local church and seeking help from a pastor or Christian counselor.
Whatever the situation, let’s choose to be brave, step forward in obedience and declare: “Today I choose forgiveness… because I have been forgiven!”
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. – Psalm 103:11-13
May our lives be characterized with gratitude because of the forgiveness Jesus has given to us!
Love God Greatly!
Let’s Talk: Are you joining me this week and choosing forgiveness? If so, comment below and just state: “Today, I choose forgiveness!” I’ll be praying for you as you take your steps forward in obedience… no longer will the chains of unforgiveness hinder our walk with Jesus any longer!!
I wonder how our lives and futures will be changed for the better because of our choice to forgive today!
Week 6 Video:
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Week 6 Challenge:
Whatever the situation, let’s choose to be brave, step forward in obedience and declare: “Today I choose forgiveness… because I have been forgiven!”
Week 6 Memory Verse:
Week 6 Reading Plan:
Today I choose Forgiveness, because I have been Forgiven!
Yes darling, we choose forgiveness because we have been forgiven so greatly. Dear Lord help Your daughter to live in the truth of this statement today and always. Amen. Much love
Amen, Danielle….forgiving set us free.
Forgiveness is a wonderful choice and knowing why we should forgive is even more liberating!
Today, I choose forgiveness, because I have been forgiven! That feels so great to declare
I choose forgiveness because I have been forgiven! Thank You sweet Jesus!!!
Yes dear friend. Thank You Jesus. We are so so forgiven
Amen, Deanna….forgiving set us free.
Praising God for His forgiveness is so freeing!
Today I choose forgiveness! May God soften my heart. More of Him, less if me.
Amen love. He is softening your heart. You can do it! I can do it!!! Because we have His His strength. We are His!!! Blessings
Lord please help us to forgive daily like You forgive us. Amen.
Yes, it is indeed feels so good to declare, Ebos, I forgive because You have forgiven me by sending your one and lonely begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins on the Cross!
I CHOOSE FORGIVENESS!
Yes honey. Choose it today and always. Shinning for Jesus. Blessings love.
That is a life giving choice!
I’m choosing forgiveness today!
Yes honey. Today and always. Leaving a life Jesus will be proud of. Much love honey.
That is a life giving choice!
Today I choose forgiveness, because I have been forgiven!
I have written in this past weeks SOAP about the day my heart began to forgive a man who physically and emotionally abused me. It was about 12 years ago. I turned my life over to Jesus, but I felt like something was missing. I wasn’t growing in my walk. My pastor was preaching on forgiveness, and it hit me! I was holding on to the burden of resentment and un-forgiveness! I practically ran to the altar, and I prayed through sobbing tears and a broken heart for God to help me forgive this man! I began to feel some peace in my heart as I prayed that day. I knew in order to grow, I had to forgive him. It didn’t happen overnight, but it happened, and I have truly forgiven him. Thank You Jesus!
What a beautiful testimony Rachelle. We can’t, but God can!! It doesn’t take overnight, but the moment you realize that that person is truly forgiven and you have been set free….amazing grace!!! Thank you for sharing!! <3
Awwww darling. This is such a great and beautiful testimony. Am so so happy for you love. The freedom and peace forgiveness brings is perfect and priceless. May you continue to grow in grace and love. Amen honey.
Rachelle, your choice clearly brings light to every part of your life. Isn’t it interesting how we sometimes don’t even realize we are holding on to pain and resentment.
Yes lord, I chose forgiveness today, since I myself, have been forgiven. Please lord help me truly feel the fruit of gratitude today …. in Jesus precious name I pray ♡
Amen sweetness. God yearns to see us come to Him so. You have done a great thing love. Enjoy the fruit of forgiveness
Today I choose forgiveness because I have been forgiven…
Yes Terry! And we will remember that daily. Blessings love.
Today I choose forgiveness! Much thanks to the LGG team for providing this study – challenging my heart in great and extraordinary ways!
Bless you dear Heather. We thank for this study. And for studying with us is so much joy. God’s blessings
Today, I choose forgiveness because I have been forgiven. Lord soften my heart so I can truly forgive my former boss for how she didn’t believe I could do my current job with a few small additional pieces. And for not letting me grow and move forward in my job.
Dear Lord, Your daughter needs Your help. She understands she can’t do this alone. Please help her. Hold her hand and lead her. Amen. God bless you love.
Today I choose forgiveness … because I have been forgiven!
Yes Clair we declare that to the world. We choose to be becons of God’s forgiveness because we have been forgiven much. Amen honey. Blessings
Today I choose forgiveness! I am reminded of the life He brought me out of and all the ways He beautifully and gracefully and mercifully forgave me.
Yes my dear friend. We are reminded of that all. And more can we show our love and appreciation but by forgiving others. Much love dear friend.
What you have written is just a perfect timing because I chose to extend forgiveness to my husband family. This is what I heard yesterday, when I decided to plan to celebrate my son 21st birthday, to extend forgiveness just keep on echoing in my mind yesterday while planning this event on Nov. 5 and just invite his family. There has been grudge, conflict, contentions and hurt with me and his family for years now, and we have not been speaking. God knows I wanted to forgive and I keep on asking Him to give me a heart to forgive them for I know it will set me free, even they don’t extend forgiveness, I need to forgive and let go of the resentment and bitterness in my heart towards them. I had prayed this morning and yes it is coming from Him. Father God, I know that this is something that You wanted me to do, and I know you will get me through with this, I haven’t done this kind of planning in years now, may my gift of being hospitable to others stills evident on me, may Your glory shines on me, less of me, more of You in me….I know that by doing this event, I will overcome evil with good. Thank you so much for always guiding and leading me, in Jesus most Holy name the name above all names, Amen.
Amen my sweet friend. He is helping you daily. You can do it my love. God please be with my friend daily as she chooses to forgive her husband’s family. Thank You Lord. Amen.
I want to forgive but it’s so hard when my mom is so bitter and agree. I’ll take any suggestions on how to bring peace and comfort to her Spirit. It’s like she hates her 3 daughters and loves only her grandson and his wife.
Hello dear
Sharon,
Forgiveness is extremely difficult to do in most cases. We have been carrying the burden and pain for so long that it feels commonplace. The Greek word for forgive is “aphesis” means to send away, let go, or release. When we forgive, we make a decision to send away or let go of this offense. It frees us. It releases us. It makes us more like Jesus Christ. But it is not quick, easy, nor can it be done through sheer willpower. Allow the Holy Spirit to do His perfect work in your heart. Cling to and meditate on God and His overwhelming and complete forgiveness of you. Pray daily for your own heart and the heart of your mother. Speak to pastors and elders in your church for spiritual guidance. Forgiveness feels undoable but with God all things are possible. He is able to accomplish the impossible in our lives. We will be praying for you and with you! ?
~Terria (LGG Encourager)
Sharon, I pray that God will bring peace to you and your family. God can do all things and we must have faith that His plan in His time will prevail.
Dear God, please bring comfort to Sharon as she is dealing with her Mother’s bitterness. Soften her heart so she may see how she is hurting those around her and heal the underlying cause for her actions. Give Sharon and her family the peace and comfort only You can provide. Keep them strong in their faith in You that Your will will be done and carried out to the fullest. In Jesus’s Holy name we pray, Amen!
Today I choose forgiveness … because I have been forgiven
Cammy honey, I love your name. Yes you have been forgiven. And we continually leave in that freedom. Blessings dear.
Today I choose forgiveness, because I HAVE been forgiven!!!!!
Yes honey. You have been forgiven. Now we walk in it. Much love
I choose forgiveness
Yes dear Hilda we choose forgiveness. Today and always. Much love dear.
Today I choose forgiveness for myself and those who have harmed me in the past. No longer can those past events linger and create bitterness within me. I am free because of His forgiveness!
Today I choose forgiveness because I have been forgiven!
Today I choose forgiveness, because I have been forgiven!
Today I choose forgiveness, because I have been forgiven. Forgiving myself For my past.
Today I choose forgiveness
Today I choose forgiveness. He is good!
How can I NOT choose forgiveness?! Looking back in my life, I had a few “running wild” moments shall we say. I would never want my own child or grandchild, or ANYONE to do some things I did. Yet, I did and they are FORGIVEN!! He seriously loves me that much! Forgives me, never fails me! It’s incredible. Today I choose forgiveness!
Today I choose forgiveness. Please pray for me to forgive the person that my husband was unfaithful with. I have forgiven my husband – and it seems to have been somewhat easier to forgive him than the other person. After all, he’s conveyed his regret for hurting me and has given his life to the Lord. I am a witness to the awesome changes God has made in him. The other person has continued to torment me, stalk me on social media and say mean, hurtful, vindictive things to me in private messages on social media (using fake profiles). I feel the Lord encouraging me to forgive her, but I truly don’t know how. She continues to try to destroy our marriage. She has no remorse and it makes it so much harder to forgive her. I need prayers. Please.
We choose forgiveness because we have been forgiven! Thank You sweet Jesus!!! We love you Jesus!
Amen ??