40-Day Worship Experience Youth DevotionalSample

I remember once, a long time ago, when someone made a hurtful comment to me. Instead of dealing with it in the moment and letting it go, I held onto it. I became more and more upset at the person as time went on.

Three years later, I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to ask forgiveness for my bitterness and make things right. I did so, and the friendship was restored. The feeling of freedom and peace that I experienced afterward was amazing. That was thirty-five years ago, and we are still friends.

I’ve never forgotten the lesson that forgiveness leads to freedom. If you are holding onto offense or bitterness, turn to Jesus. Receive His forgiveness, then allow His mercy to flow through you to others.

Receiving God’s forgiveness should be a daily habit, and so should forgiving other people. The two go together. Just as you need to be forgiven, you also need to forgive. Forgiveness frees you. It helps you set aside the weight of anger, hate, and hurt. Those things only harm you, especially if you hold onto them for a long time.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean you pretend nothing ever happened. It doesn’t mean you let the person continue to hurt you, either. It simply means you choose not to hold their mistake against them. You don’t try to get revenge or make them pay.

As you have been forgiven, forgive others. Joy, peace, and freedom are waiting on the other side.

Reflect

Have you ever held onto unforgiveness? How did it make you feel? Is there anyone you need to forgive today?