Forgiveness Includes Taking Out the Stinger – Beloved Women – November 14, 2023

READ: “If one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13 ESV)

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: I was enjoying my walk on a nice cool morning. Suddenly, my left shoulder felt like it was on fire with sharp throbbing pain. I ran home, and my husband looked at my shoulder. He took a bee’s stinger out. I felt instant relief.  

The negative emotions we attach to situations are like the bee’s stinger, that if left unchecked, trip us up.  Over time, offenses turn to resentment and bitterness. The emotional stinger keeps us bound to offenses. 

God instructs us to give each other grace and make allowances for each other’s faults. Rather than keep scores, we are to forgive others as God forgives us. Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive someone who sins against him. Jesus replied, seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22).

Perhaps you are struggling and wondering why you are having a hard time forgiving. This is an opportunity to invite the Lord to expose what is behind the inability to forgive. If we fail to recognize our feelings about an offense, they will continue to fuel our negative reactions.

Jesus’ seventy times seven principle goes deeper beyond the actual offense.  It addresses the underlying emotions. To forgive wholeheartedly, we must ask God to help forgive the offense and also work through how it made us feel.

PRAY: Father, help me to forgive others as an act of love. Expose any hidden emotional stingers that keep me from forgiving wholeheartedly. Thank you for Your grace and mercy towards me. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

REFLECT: Who do you need to forgive today? How will you apply the seventy times seven principles to that situation?

CONNECT: Find more encouragement from Tope Keku at www.hiddentreasuresandriches.com.

© 2020 by Tope Keku. All rights reserved.

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