2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV): For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
 
Let’s chat for a few minutes today about an aspect of forgiving others and being forgiven by others that will help further the importance of walking in gratitude for what God has done in your life.
 
Our last devotional addressed forgiving others, but what about when others need to forgive you? Strange as it may seem, this is a rare but real occurrence. There are actually people out there who are overly sensitive about the things you do, and for whatever reason have been offended by you. LOL!
 
Ok, seriously…
 
Listen carefully, having a heart of gratitude because you realize the great gift extended to you by God, will empower you to enter into receiving other’s forgiveness.
 
First, I want to change the subject for a few moments by asking you to think about a person that may have had to forgive you for something that you have done to hurt them. Its alright that they have already forgiven you, because this is simply an exercise in understanding.
 
In your mind, draw a circle around their feet about the size of a hoopla hoop. And now about 6 feet away, do the same for yourself.
 
So, the question is who needs to move toward who? You might say that because the person needs to forgive me, they need to start the process, because what if I don’t know I did something to hurt them – right you are if you don’t know that you hurt them.
 
However, if you do know that you hurt them, there is a different force at play…your gratitude toward God. You are forgiven by God and you are a recipient of His manifold mercy and grace, therefore you can take the initiative right here.
 
Most don’t. Sadly, they wait. Or even worse, they try to pull the other person into their circle and get them to think or see things they way they do. They (you) will redefine the situation, minimize the hurt or sometimes even dismiss the whole issue by shifting blame or prematurely saying you are sorry.
 
The Bible calls this worldly sorrow and it clearly states that this leads to death…how serious is that?!      
 
Imagine that when the other person begins to tell you how they were hurt that you attempt to leave your circle and enter into theirs. In effect, you have no desire for them to see things the way you do, you really want to see it from theirs.
 
The truth is, God’s sees it from theirs and yours. But, in these rare times of vulnerability, He wants you to be there for them. The overwhelming gratitude of God’s blessing resident in your life will empower you to be right there without freaking out and running.
 
Romans 12:15 (ESV): Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
 
Can you see it inside the verse? The Apostle Paul is not encouraging us to have others do what we do, he is pointing at the importance of entering into the lives of others. This is such a serious issue that goes missing in so many people’s lives.
 
Godly grief…what is that? Well, it’s the key.
 
Feeling what God feels for others. Especially for others that I produced hurt. How can I feel godly sorrow when I am trying to pull people into what I think they ought to be thinking?
 
Don’t worry, God isn’t mad at you. He isn’t upset with you. You should be very glad that He is all knowing, because He knew about this millions of years ago. He isn’t surprised, or overcome with emotion about it. He knows. So you can enter into others need to release you without worrying that God is mad, He isn’t. He is with you and at the same time with them. God is awesome!
 
Jesus actively answers His own prayer.
 
John 17:20–23 (ESV): “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
 
Make it simple for people to forgive you. Listen to them and learn from your mistakes. Gratitude is the grease that enables all these gears to work so well together. Keeping in mind the great gift given to us by our Father in heaven who loves us so much. He sent Jesus, His Son to make a way for you. He sent the Holy Spirit who leads you into all truth, so that you can live in unity.
 
Father, thank You for the great gift of forgiveness given to us through Jesus, His death, burial and resurrection. Praise the name of Jesus loud and clear, and may it be seen in our giving and receiving forgiveness and the heart of gratitude you expect us to have. Thank You!
 
Blessings,
Pastor D