Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily devotional August 24, 2016 – For Your Own Sake

Today’s Scripture: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14–15, NIV)

Topic: For Your Own Sake [August 24, 2016]

In life, we all have unfair things that happen to us. We can choose to hold on to the hurt, become bitter and angry, and let it poison our future; or, we can choose to let it go and trust God to make it up to us. You may not think that you are able to forgive because someone hurt you so badly. You might say, “You don’t know how I was raised.” Or, “My ex-spouse caused me a lot of pain.” “This friend betrayed me.” “I just can’t let it go.” Realize that forgiveness isn’t for their sake; forgiveness is for your own sake. When you forgive, you are taking away their power to hurt you. But if you hold on to that offense and stay angry, you are only poisoning your own life and disconnecting yourself from God.

Forgiveness is like a door on your heart. If you shut the door and refuse to forgive, then God cannot forgive you. But when you open the door and allow forgiveness to flow from you, then His forgiveness can flow into you. Choose to forgive and open the door to receive God’s life, peace and healing today.

A Prayer for Today: “God, thank You for the gift of forgiveness that sets me free. Help me to truly understand what it means to forgive so I can receive Your forgiveness. Search me today and have Your way in my heart in Jesus’ name. Amen.”