When we experience forgiveness in our hearts, it humbles us and makes us gentle and forgiving toward others.
I wrestled with this many years ago when an elderly lady chewed me out before church in front of everyone for missing some services. Devastated, I wanted to run out the door and never come back. But I loved my church. I needed my church, and I needed prayer to be more faithful --- not this.
It was difficult to forgive her, though I knew I should. Overwhelmed and hurt, I prayed, “Lord, don’t let me hate her. Help me to forgive her.” We had known each other a long time.
A couple months later she asked if something was wrong. I guess it showed. I told her how she hurt my feelings. She didn’t realize it and apologized. I forgave her as we bawled and hugged. The “unforgiving monster” vanished, and I slept quite well that night..
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
