Be a winner.

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19.

A person who forgives ends up winning. This is the reason why you should choose forgiveness.

Alan Paton, a South African author, and anti-apartheid activist said this, “when a deep injury is done us, we never recover until we forgive.” It is a true statement.

What is the opposite of forgiveness? Vengeance. By vengeance, we never recover. However, forgiveness does. Forgiveness frees you up to move on with no regrets. On the contrary, vengeance and retributive thoughts make you a prisoner because you do not feel free until the retaliation is done. You are hooked to another person who hurt you. You feel bitter and angry toward him or her. It affects your health, peace, and overall well-being as well.

There is a reason why Jesus said if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive what you have done. God bless and grants peace to those who are willing to forgive. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. Sometimes you may not be able to forget. Still, you can forgive from your heart. Besides, when you forgive others, God says he would forgive yours.

You see, we all need forgiveness of our trespasses and mistakes from God. The main issue you and I would not experience forgiveness unless we are willing to forgive others. This itself says forgiveness is the better and safer route we must take in our daily lives.

When you look back and think, remember God forgave you several times, didn’t he? You are still living, earning money to live is because He forgave you countless times. He could have knocked you down. However, He did not yet only because of the extend of his forgiveness. If that is what you have received, then this is what you need to offer in turn.

Secondly, you need forgiveness again from God. Jesus said if you do not forgive, your heavenly Father will not forgive you. Forgiving others keep the inflow of forgiveness to you from God. You can not afford to lose God’s forgiveness in your life.

Thirdly, un-forgiveness makes you only more miserable. It makes you someone else’s prisoner. You think you have the right to vengeance. However, you remain as the other person’s prisoner. You become more unhappy, angry, frustrated, and miserable. More than all, you lose your sweet fellowship with the Lord. That makes you more miserable.

The Bible says God owns vengeance, not you. Romans 12:19 says, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” Says the Lord.” This is a quotation from Deuteronomy 32:35, where the LORD God said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” You see we must leave room for God to avenge, not taking avenge in our hands. The context of the Deuteronomy passage is God avenges His own people for their stubbornness and foolishness, and He also repays for the wickedness of their enemies. He is fit to repay with all justice and fairness. So we can relax and rest on his command of forgiveness.

No matter what the truth remains, -a person who forgives ends up winning. What a  principle to keep in mind!

God a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, help me forgive others who hurt me. I need the empowerment of your Holy Spirit to keep on forgiving. I know you forgave multitudes of my sins and mistakes. This truth helps me to forgive others. I believe you forgave all of my sins because of the person and work of Christ. I believe Jesus died, buried and rose again for my sins. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord now. In Christ’s  name, I pray, Amen.”