Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:13)

The weather turns crisp, and we move into the season of thanksgiving mindful of our blessings. Paul reminds us in the above passage that we are not blessed for ourselves alone. We are meant to share with others the light and grace we receive from God. As we have been forgiven, Paul says, we in turn must forgive.

He offers not a suggestion but a prescribed way of living for children of faith.

When wounds are deep and we find ourselves reluctant to forgive, two key principles can help us to overcome our resistance:

• Forgiving is a holy task backed by the Holy Spirit that grows us in our faith and likeness to Christ. In response to our obedience, God gives us the grace and the goodness we need to forgive.
• Forgiving is a skill we can learn and practice. Bearing grudges and clinging to anger are learned habits that we can displace by learning new habits, such as generosity and patience and letting go of bitterness.

Starting today, I invite you to learn and practice ten skills that will make forgiveness possible and practical for daily living. Each week will introduce a new practice and suggestions for weaving it into your life and relationships. You will also receive a Bible verse for reflection and a pledge statement you can carry on your heart as you move through your week.

May God add his blessing and grace to you as you seek to live more fully into forgiveness.

Read below for your first practice in forgiving!

Practical Forgiveness – Practice 1

Forgive what you can.

Forgiveness is a process that can unfold quickly or, as in a case of deep wounding, very slowly and with difficulty. You can practice letting go of hurt and anger in small ways even as the Spirit is still working to change your heart. Perhaps all you can manage today is to keep yourself from gossiping or saying harsh things about the person who hurt you. Decide where you can start to forgive, and then with God’s help do it. Be patient but resolved to daily surrender your conflict to the Spirit’s healing influence.

Ponder

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! (Psalm 32:1)

Pledge

With God’s help I will take that first healing step toward forgiving.

Adapted from A Devotional Walk with Forgiveness by Judith Ingram, Copyright © 2011 by Judith Ingram.