Easier said then done if you're the person who was on the receiving end of the offense. If FORGIVENESS was prescription medicine we all had to take to survive, pharmaceutical companies would go out of business and an entire nation of people would be wiped off the face of the earth. In John 10:10 Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life and life more abundantly". Many of us forget the abundant part. Lack of forgiveness is a burden that pulls us down to living life beneath our privilege.
 
Try this experiment. Everywhere in the bible you see the name of Jesus substitute love or forgiveness. You will find that either word fits interchangeably. God wanted to fellowship with man more intimately so He had to provide a sacrifice so that there would be forgiveness for man's sin nature (Hebrews 9:22). In doing so we can feel the presence of His love. Our entire existence and the fact that we are not doomed is because of an almighty God's willingness to lower Himslef to forgive.
 
I know none of this is new to you. But did you know that Jesus doesn't honor our obedience, our sacrifice or even our service to Him if we are holding forgiveness of one of His children as ransom for an apology? Simply put, Jesus will not forgive us if we don't forgive each other (Matthew 6:14-15). Lack of forgiveness tells Jesus that your pain and bitterness is greater than the pain He felt on the cross. Our lack of forgiveness tells God that He sacrificed His only Son in vain and that the blood that He sees us through is worthless and powerless. By showing lack of forgiveness you tell Satan that the manipulation and witchcraft that he is using against you brings you more comfort and satisfaction than your name in the Lambs book of Life.
 
If your pain is from that loved one or family member that betrayed you and defiled your relationship with dishonesty, ask the Lord, is this more painful than the cross? If it's a work situation and a boss that seems to go out of their way to persecute you, then ask the Lord if this is more persecution than He endured? Perhaps it's thievery or the violation of your trust from a loved one who did the unthinkable of defiling your innocence or the innocence of a child. Sometimes it's easier to forgive if it's us being violated, but our children is another story. To this I say take courage in (Proverbs 15:3) and then ask the Lord if you too have ever defiled the name of His Son by your thoughts, words or acts. Then ask Him for the grace and the strength to forgive.
 
In these times we are overly consumed with news headlines, our money in the bank, our ability to pay our mortgage, our credit scores and our ability to retire comfortably. Try to reshape or refresh your perspective and think of the rewards living burden free can offer and the rejoicing of all the heavenly hosts on your behalf. Then imagine when this world eventually passes away and you stand to behold all the treasures that are in store for you in heaven eternally. Now take a deep breath and inhale your surroundings, free from the strife and bondage of the past and embrace life's abundance as it was intended for you and for me. JUST LET IT GO!