Lorna was tired. Her husband abused her way too many times. Therefore, divorce was her only choice.
She couldn't stand her husband's intoxicated breath. The words he spoke were poison to her soul. She couldn't wait to break free from the man who was causing her to become bitter and angry. Without hesitation, she signed the divorce papers and walked away from her marriage. By chance, she listened to a podcast about God's forgiveness. She felt intrigued by it and decided to learn more about this God who forgives the unforgivable. A God who would even forgive her. As the days went by she encountered the love of Jesus and made him her savior. Shortly after, she received a call from her ex-husband. She tried to ignore him. But he insisted. Reluctantly, she answered the phone. It was one of her husband's relatives, who informed her about the heart attack he had just experienced. He was fighting for his life, in a coma, breathing with life support. She immediately wrestled with God's voice within her asking her to forgive her ex-spouse. The Lord told her, "Go visit him and whisper in his ear, 'Don't worry about the house. You will have a place to live. You can come back home.'"
She couldn't stand her husband's intoxicated breath. The words he spoke were poison to her soul. She couldn't wait to break free from the man who was causing her to become bitter and angry. Without hesitation, she signed the divorce papers and walked away from her marriage. By chance, she listened to a podcast about God's forgiveness. She felt intrigued by it and decided to learn more about this God who forgives the unforgivable. A God who would even forgive her. As the days went by she encountered the love of Jesus and made him her savior. Shortly after, she received a call from her ex-husband. She tried to ignore him. But he insisted. Reluctantly, she answered the phone. It was one of her husband's relatives, who informed her about the heart attack he had just experienced. He was fighting for his life, in a coma, breathing with life support. She immediately wrestled with God's voice within her asking her to forgive her ex-spouse. The Lord told her, "Go visit him and whisper in his ear, 'Don't worry about the house. You will have a place to live. You can come back home.'"
When the man came back from a comma, he moved back in with Lorna. They remarried and started a new relationship. He was a changed man. The years went by and Lorna enjoyed her marriage every day more. One night, her husband told her, "The Bible says we should love our wives as Christ loved the Church. Let me tell you, I love you that way."
Shortly after, the man died of a second heart attack. Lorna was so happy she had forgiven her husband. She didn't have to see her children growing without a father, she broke the cicle of abuse in her home and even got to live her dream of having a beautiful marriage. God rewarded her obedience and her willingness to forgive. (Based on a true story.)
Many times, the Lord will ask us to forgive others. It may be a bit hard to do it and God knows it. God also knows forgiveness was the only way he could save us. He experienced loss, grief, betrayal when Christ died on the cross. If he can forgive us, we can forgive others too.
There are many reasons to forgive. I'll mention three of them:
1. We may be children of our heavenly father: Isn't this reason enough to forgive? We can be assured, we are acting as daughters of God when we forgive. We are just obeying daddy, who's asking us to let go of the offense.
2. He will forgive us: Jesus says, if we forgive, we will be forgiven. If not, we will be handed over to an adversary. Many diseases have a root of unforgiveness.
3. The Lord will repay: We don't have to worry about payback day. God said. "Vengeance is mine." God will deal with your adversaries. He will prepare a table in the presence of those who were persecuting you. Rest, let your father in heaven take control.
Perhaps, one day, like Lorna, we will see people change. Perhaps, people in our lives, we need to forgive, will never change. But regardless, we know God is faithful to his promises. He will vindicate us as we forgive others.
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Love,
Sofía.
Sofía.