How Strong Are YOU?

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Colossians 3:11 

 

When you think of strength, what comes to mind?  Could it be extreme muscular abilities?  How about someone who can remain calm in the face of terrifying circumstances? When we think of strength, it usually involves some physical or mental capability. However, one of the greatest feats of strength is to FORGIVE. And forgiveness is one of the most precious gifts we have to give.

 

Let's take a look at that for a moment, shall we?  If someone has hurt you or a family member it is very natural and easy to hold a grudge and, quite probably, seek revenge in some way. Yet every moment we hold onto a grudge, the venom seeps into our spirit and turns us bitter.  However, when we go against our nature and forgive, we are expressing that the love we have for others, even those who have hurt us, is far more important to have than to do without.  

Being angry, hurt and carrying a grudge is easy...for a while.  Soon it will become a burden that will eventually destroy us and rob us of any joy!  Let us also consider how God forgives us....quickly and without malice.

 

Edward Teech, also known as the pirate Blackbeard, upon choosing to leave Charleston Harbor after he got his ransom rather than destroying the entire city, is credited with saying, "True power comes in knowing you can utterly destroy, and so do they, yet you choose, instead, to withhold your hand."    

 

So the question we need to address is "How Strong Are YOU?"