October 21

Matthew 6:14 is very clear. Here Jesus says, “If you forgive people their trespasses against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you your trespasses.” To be forgiven, we must forgive. Sometimes we have a hard time letting go of wrongs that have been done against us, and when we won’t let go, it’s almost impossible to forgive.

I wonder, if we were ever to confront our innermost feelings of resentment, of grudges held against all who’ve hurt or disappointed us, what portion of that negativity would we discover that we hold against God Himself? Yes, it’s a shocking thought, but perhaps it holds a measure of truth.

Someone we love dies. Who do we blame? The doctor who tried valiantly but unsuccessfully to save him? Someone we trusted betrays us. Do we love him too much to actually blame him so we transfer the blame to God? We fail at something we desired greatly to attain. Do we blame ourselves or do we lament, “Oh, God, why did You let this happen?”

If we find ourselves holding God in the unwarranted position of having let us down, the resentment we harbor can undermine all He desires to do in us and through us. If we allow a negative spirit to undermine our relationship with the One who loves us enough to have died for us, how can we begin to receive all He has for us—including forgiveness when we sin or the ability to forgive others?