Genesis 50:20-21 ESV
Genesis 50:20-21: 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus, he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Introduction
An emotional wound is one of the heaviest burdens a person can carry. Such a wound takes time to heal and leaves you unable to have a happy life or to enjoy the present.
Not forgiving someone does not invalidate the offense or punish the offender; rather, it defines what your future will look like.
Body
Joseph forgave the brothers who had betrayed him. He did not seek revenge, but sought to release them.
Consequently, he told his brothers, “You tried to do harm to me, but God has used it to bring about goodness” (Genesis 50:20).
The forgiving heart submits to and manifests the height of grace.
1. Forgiveness Liberates You from Your Past and Allows You to Move On with Your Life
Joseph had many justifiable reasons to resent his brothers: family betrayal, human trafficking, false accusations, and a jail term. Yet when the time came, he still chose to forgive.
What was his motivation? He chose to forgive because bitterness would have prevented him from moving forward (continuing with his life) and kept him stuck in the past.
When you forgive someone, you:
– No longer think about your pain repeatedly
– Will not carry an emotional burden
– Will allow God and His healing touch.
Forgiveness is Freedom!
2. God’s Potential Through Forgiveness
Joseph did not hide the hurt. He put it in a new frame of reference, evident in the words “You planned to do me harm, but God had another idea.”
If you know God can bring about something good from even the worst experiences, it can help make it much easier to forgive.
Sometimes:
- Pain can make you stronger because it is a test.
- When someone rejects you, you develop character.
- When someone has hurt you, you can now empathize with the feelings of another.
Therefore, forgiveness lets you go from being hurt to embracing/having a purpose.
3. Deciding to Forgive is More Important than Feeling Forgiven.
We do not need to wait “to feel ready to forgive” to choose to forgive and move forward.
Forgiveness is a:
- Decision.
- Process.
- Relinquishment.
The memory of the event may still be present; however, the feeling of bitterness or resentment attached to it will no longer be there.
Reflection
Is there someone you need to forgive today?
- A family member?
- A friend?
- A colleague?
- Yourself?
Remember, forgiveness doesn’t change the past; it changes your future.
Prayer
God, allow me to let go of all of the pain from my past. Inspire me to forgive those who have hurt me just as You have forgiven me in the past.
Please heal my heart and give me peace. Use my hard times as an opportunity to further your goals.
Through Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Call to Action
Choose forgiveness today. Not because they deserve it, but because you deserve peace and a prosperous future.
Additionally, watch the video version on YouTube and explore How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners)
