Don’t Catch the Disease of Unforgiveness

Did you know that medical books now classify unforgiveness as a disease? It’s being linked to all kinds of physical and mental problems. It can truly be a disease for some people.

Here’s my question for you. Do you have that disease? If so, you’re among the many who struggle with it. I say, don’t catch the disease of unforgiveness!

Jesus knew it would be a problem that’s why he said, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)

Here are three reasons we often struggle with unforgiveness and how to get past them.

We forget.

We often forget how much God has forgiven us. If you stop to think about it God’s grace and forgiveness towards you has been enormous.

Jesus makes a direct link to his forgiveness towards us and our forgiveness towards others. When you remember God’s forgiveness through Jesus it makes it so much easier to forgive others.

We feel powerful.

Sometimes holding a grudge makes us feel better than, stronger than and holier than others. It’s one of the sick deceptions of unforgiveness and sadly we often believe it.

What we need to realize is that everyone has missed the mark. We are all in need of God’s grace. True power, God’s power, comes through forgiveness. Weak people choose not to forgive.

We like the drama.

This is a tough pill to swallow. But for many of us we love the relationship drama that comes from being offended. We have to remember what Jesus said, “it will come back against you.”

In other words, drama breeds drama. This is the law of sowing and reaping. If you want to have relationships without judgment, condemnation and unforgiveness you have to start sowing that seed into them.

It’s not always easy. But it is always fruitful. Start planting forgiveness in your heart today. Don’t catch the disease of unforgiveness!