“Never forget the three powerful resources you always have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness.” ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

There are many things that are observed when it comes to National days, weeks, and months. It is fun way for people to celebrate every day of the year in one way or another. This past week is observed as National Forgiveness Week. It is said that to forgive is one of the most powerful things a human being can do. But why?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, to forgive means “to cease to feel resentment against” or “to give up resentment or to grant relief from payment”. In other words, to forgive means to pardon. In the Scriptures, the Greek word translated “forgiveness” means “to let go.”

Forgiving is freeing. It allows us to break free from the thoughts that weigh us down. If you are not able to forgive, it can forever become something that you cannot bear. It becomes paralyzing. It can destroy our lives. I believe this is why God puts so much emphasis on forgiveness. He knows that it can consume us. This is because we are the ones who receive the most benefit from forgiveness, and not the other person. Forgiving others releases us from any anger we have against another and allows us to receive the healing we need. Scripture states, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” ~Ephesians 4:31-32

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.” ~Matthew 18:21-22