Since I have become a follower of Jesus many years ago I have tried to live my life in a state of forgiveness. The Lord taught me early in our relationship that the lack of asking for forgiveness or not forgiving someone or even yourself is nothing but pride. That it was me living like, what He did on the cross wasn’t good enough. I am so grateful and humbled for that lesson because When I have offended someone and I know it I seek them out and ask their forgiveness as well as asking for forgiveness from God. Most recently it would have to be my husband for something that I said or more for the way I said it. When I am upset my tone becomes attacking. I pray God changes that in me. For me it is easier to ask for forgiveness then sometimes to forgive. I have to always remember the verse that if you do not forgive your Heavenly Father can not forgive you. Forgiveness is a choice not a feeling. Sometime I have said Lord please give me your forgiveness for them, because my heart is not in it. Please change my heart. He has always been faithful to change my heart. We have raised our children this way as well. My husband and I didn’t just tell our children to say I’m sorry we always made them say please forgive me when they did something to one of their siblings and we had the other one who was offended to say they forgave them. We noticed that it was always harder for them to ask for forgiveness then to say I’m sorry and it was even harder for the other to say I forgive you. If my husband or I punished out of anger instead of disciplining out of love we always asked our children for forgiveness. I hope our children now are raising their families to live in forgiveness. It is a humbling way of life, because you have to recognize your faults moment by moment and set them at the cross. God Bless you all in this challenge.
