Forgiveness God’s way looks so different from forgiveness our way. If you’ve had trouble forgiving your spouse, hanging on to grudges, and feeling resentful, maybe it’s time to try a different way. God’s way.
Forgiveness Our Way vs Forgiveness God’s Way
Our Way:
I don’t even care anymore. I just don’t think I want to forgive him.
God’s way:
Your unforgiveness is a prison for your heart. If you forgive, you will be set free and your relationship with Me will be restored.
And whenever you stand praying, if you find that you carry something in your heart against another person, release him and forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also release you and forgive you of your faults.
Mark 11:25 TPT
Our way:
He doesn’t deserve forgiveness!
God’s way:
You didn’t deserve forgiveness but I forgave you. That’s My Grace in action. I will give you My Love so you will have the reserves to graciously forgive him.
But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.
Ephesians 4:32 TPT
Our way:
Yes, I’m bitter, but who wouldn’t be? He hurt me! I can never forgive.
God’s way:
My grace is the antidote to bitterness. If you hang onto bitterness everyone loses!
Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.
Hebrews 12:15 TPT
God’s ways differ quite significantly from our way, but God’s way is so much more healthy and life-giving. Although I have fought doing forgiveness God’s way many times, I have never regretted it once I realized my way was only making matters worse.