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DAILY DEVOTIONAL
May 03
Forgiveness in family relationships
"Forgive as the Lord forgave you" - Colossians 3:13
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The importance of family relationships cannot be overstated. We are connected to our family members in a way that we are not connected to anyone else. While these relationships can bring great joy and love, they can also bring pain and heartache. It is inevitable that we will hurt one another at some point in our lives, but the way we respond to that hurt is what truly matters.
The Bible teaches us about the importance of forgiveness, especially within our families. In Colossians 3:13, we read, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Forgiveness is not always easy, especially when it comes to those closest to us. But it is essential for the health of our relationships and for our own spiritual growth. When we hold onto anger and bitterness towards our family members, it only harms ourselves and our relationship with God.
Forgiveness is not about forgetting what happened or pretending that the hurt never occurred. It is about choosing to release the anger and resentment we feel towards our loved ones and allowing God to heal our hearts. When we choose to forgive, we are not excusing the behavior that hurt us, but we are choosing to love our family members despite their imperfections.
In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who has sinned against him. Jesus responds, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." This means that we are to forgive our family members not just once or twice, but repeatedly, as many times as it takes.
Pray with us
Dear God, help us to forgive our family members as You have forgiven us. Give us the strength to let go of anger and bitterness and choose love instead. Help us to remember that our family members are imperfect, just like we are, and that we are all in need of Your grace and mercy. We pray for healing in our family relationships and for the ability to love one another as Yyou love us. Amen.