We often think of forgiveness as a one-time event. But anyone who has tried to practice it knows the truth: forgiveness is a process – and it can take time. And sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking forgiveness is all or nothing—as if we either forgive perfectly or fail completely. The reality is different. Forgiveness is rarely linear. Sometimes we have to start over — again and again — as we work through the layers and complexities of our emotions.
Lysa TerKeurst’s Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, in which she shares her own winding journey of learning to forgive, is an incredible resource.
In Chapter 14: Living the Practices of Forgiveness Every Day she uses the Lord’s Prayer as a framework to explore what it really looks like to practice forgiveness as a part of our daily lives.
Take a moment and read through these excerpts. As you do, ask God to nudge your heart toward an area where you might need to grow in forgiveness:
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- I’ve come to the conclusion that the goal with forgiveness isn’t perfection – it’s progress.
- Even the most imperfect, messy forgiveness filled with hesitation and resistance is better than letting bitterness have its way with your heart.
- [She writes of Matthew 6:9-15] So let’s look at the importance of receiving and giving forgiveness. It makes up half the prayer. If you are looking at the word count of this teaching as presented in the New International Version, the total teaching is ninety-four words. Giving and receiving forgiveness makes up forty-six of those words.
It grabs my attention and makes me want to lean in a little more to what Jesus wanted us to do on a daily basis. . . - Forgiveness is supposed to be as much a part of our daily lives as eating and sleeping.
- I’ll be the first in line to raise my hand and admit this is me. I’m too easily offended. I’m too quick to get defensive. I’m too slow to turn to prayer. I’m very rarely confessing. And I’m too often not forgiving.
- The Lord’s Prayer . . . prepared my heart for something I didn’t even know was coming. The best time to forgive is before we are ever offended. The next best time to forgive is right now.
Take time this week to reflect on your own heart. Is there someone you need to forgive—or maybe forgive again? Ask God to help you take the next step, even if it feels messy or imperfect. Remember: progress, not perfection, is the goal.