My heart didn’t want to believe the painful truth of the words he spoke. Not my child. Not this unbearable, unthinkable trespassing of an innocent soul.
I felt rage swelling in my chest against the one who had caused all of this—a malevolent, murderous rage born of maternal instinct and sin-sick imperfection. He was responsible for the lost years. Years steeped in misdirected anger, self-soothing sabotage and grief disguised as defiance. He deserved a punishment unlike any other. If he had been standing in my living room that day? I would have gladly been the one to execute the sentence.
It’s frightening to confess the depth of my brokeneness. Admit to the ugliness. Disclose the depravity.
But, is it possible that you can relate to the desperation of a mother rising up fierce and unforgiving to protect her child? Perhaps you are the precious one who has lived through the fire of something that seared your soul? A pain now so raw you doubt your ability to forgive?
Friend, you and I are incapable of forgiving in our own strength. Only through the healing, hope-giving power of Jesus will we discover the ability to release the burden of our heart.
Choosing forgiveness is an act of obedience. Jesus didn’t suggest that we forgive; He commanded it.
Love your enemies.
One simple, beautiful phrase that evokes ‘Amen’s’ and head nods when those offenses we’re asked to forgive are small or insignificant. But, when the wound is as deep as a well in the desert? When the pain pulses and pounds like a jackhammer tearing at flesh? Are we expected to forgive those hurts?
Love your enemies.

[Tweet "Jesus didn't tell us to love our enemies when it was convenient or easy. He didn't pencil in a provisional clause."]

Jesus didn’t tell us to love our enemies when it was convenient or easy. He didn’t pencil in a provisional clause; an if-then statement that alleviates us of the responsibility to forgive.
Love your enemies.
 And, I imagine myself in the crowd surrounding the tree while the sinless Christ pours forgiveness from His soul like the blood spilling from His wounds.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
 Love your enemies.
My sins alone would have nailed Christ to the cross. If I had been the only woman to have sinned, He still would have born my stripes. Chosen death that I could live. Offered himself for the enemy.

[Tweet "If Jesus loves me that much? Gave that much? How can I refuse to forgive another?"]

If Jesus loves me that much? Gave that much? How can I refuse to forgive another?
And you, Friend? Are you willing to set aside the millstone of unforgiveness for freedom today? Trust Jesus. He’ll do the heavy lifting.
Three ACTion Steps to Help Move from Unforgiveness to Mercy
Admit to the bitterness and anger hidden in your heart. (1 John 1:9)
Choose obedience. Deciding to do otherwise only leads to division in  relationship with Christ. (Matthew 6:14)
Trust the Father. He is both loving and just. (Romans 12:19)
 
Peace and blessings,
Tammy