Choose forgiveness not revenge!

When someone has wronged you as humans will do, though it hurts you deeply, God wants you to forgive. To forgive doesn't mean that you forget. It just means that you are letting go of the resentment or bitterness you are carrying towards them. It's too great of a burden for you to bear, so give it to Jesus. If not you will continue to walk around angry and unhappy because you refuse to let go of what happened to you in the past. No one has been wronged like Christ who was perfect and without sin. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins and if He can forgive us, then we can and should forgive others. Don't try to get them back! Let go and let GOD! "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19) Forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean reconciliation with your offender especially if it will cause more harm than good. However, you are releasing the power and control the offending person has had over your life. Holding on to grudges can prevent you from moving forward in peace. Jesus set the perfect example of forgiveness when He was on the cross. He said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) Whether you are hurt accidentally or intentionally, it's so easy to become angry or vengeful but God will be the judge of others' harmful actions. We should pray for strength to forgive even if they never apologize or ask for forgiveness. Set yourself free of any past hurt! Be willing to accept people for what they are... human. Try to look for the good in others rather than focusing on their faults and magnifying their weaknesses. "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44) 

If you are carrying the heavy burden of sin, seek Christ and repent. You may have acted against the will of God but He is faithful and will forgive you. So you don't have to be guilt-stricken, God sees your contrite heart and knows you're remorseful for what you've done. Sinfulness brings suffering and pain but because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can receive forgiveness through repentance. The Lord's forgiveness brings relief, comfort and peace. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV) Reconciliation is a gift from God. "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." (Romans 5:10) If you've sinned against someone else, do everything in your power to make things right. But know this: your sin is no match for God's grace. "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) Thank God for his freedom in forgiveness. He has been gracious to forgive us without condemnation and He expects us to pay it forward. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37) God loves us so much and just like the Newsboys sing, "You're never too far away to turn it all back around." Hallelujah, we're forgiven! Let the church say, Amen!