We as people, often times struggle with forgiveness.  We hold on to resentment, anger, and hurt, that does damage to our physical bodies as well as our spiritual selves.  It may be that we are unwilling to forgive, thinking that we will then be letting the other person or persons off of the hook.  Or that they didn’t ask for it , nor do they deserve it. 

     Forgiveness, is not easy.  Though it may be helpful to the person in need of forgiveness, to be forgiven, it is more about us not carrying around all that angst within.  By not forgiving, we are only hurting and stunting our selves, not allowing ourselves to move forward in health.

     In the New Testament the word used carries with it the meaning, “to release”.  It is all about letting go and setting it aside.  Our best example of this forgiveness is found in Jesus.  Jesus who gave himself for our sin, who even while hanging on the cross said, “Father, forgive them, for they know no what they do.”  Jesus forgave and let it go.  God forgives and releases us of the penalty and punishment.  The scripture tells us as believers to forgive, Ephesians 4:31-32 says,

Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you. (NRSV)

     Asking for forgiveness when we have wronged someone, or forgiving someone who has wronged us, moves us forward in our journey with God.  It frees us to follow Christ more closely and to become more like him.  It keeps us from being stuck in unhealthy patterns, and it allows us to build real, honest, and open relationships with others.  God encourages us to ask for forgiveness and to forgive, yet the decision to do just that remains ours.  If the Spirit, is prompting you to forgive another, or to ask forgiveness, take the step and let it go.  See what God will do with it, in your life and theirs.