Genesis 45
Everyone has been hurt at some point in their life. You undoubtedly have been lied to, cheated on, gossiped about, and sinned against because we live in a broken world. You wake up each day with the choice to forgive or to harbor resentment. As we look at Joseph’s life in the book of Genesis, we see that because he was his father’s favorite child, he was hated by his brothers. They were jealous of him, tore the robe his father had made for him, threw him in a pit, sold him into slavery, and lied to their father about what happened.
If anyone has ever had cause to harbor unforgiveness, it was Joseph. Maybe the same is true for you. Maybe you’ve been wrongly mistreated. According to medical experts, unforgiveness causes stress on the body and raises blood pressure. It can shorten a person’s life. How can we forgive in a biblical way that honors God?
First, explain the pain. If possible, let the other person know how they hurt you. Never ignore the pain because it will fester and resentment will quickly set in. Joseph let his brothers know that it was he who was in their presence, the one whom they’d sold into slavery. Once we verbalize our pain, we can begin to heal.
Second, let go of the offense. Forgiveness doesn’t excuse someone’s sinful actions against you, but it does free up space in your heart, releasing you from carrying the heavy weight of unforgiveness. Instead of choosing revenge, Joseph chose to release his brothers’ offenses against him so bitterness wouldn’t have power over him. Forgiveness is first for us.
Third, reexamine the past. God desires for you to use your test as a testimony and wants to bring good from the pain in your life. Even in your darkest hour, God was with you and remained in control. For twenty-two years, Joseph was separated from his family, and he knew in his heart and his mind that he had to forgive his brothers.
Fourth, rebuild the rapport with those who have offended you, if possible. Not only did Joseph forgive, he wanted to rebuild what had been lost for so long. He wanted to take care of his family and do all he could to provide for them during the famine. Only Christ in us allows us to forgive in such a way. The world doesn’t understand how and why we can forgive, but as Christians we are obligated to do so.
Jesus forgives us, allowing us as Christians to live in freedom knowing that our sins are no longer counted against us. Aren’t you grateful that we can always turn to the Lord when we are weighed down with sin and trust that He will forgive us? As believers, let’s always be willing and ready to share with others how they can experience the forgiveness of God in their lives. Here are some questions to consider:
Is there someone you need to forgive today?
How has unforgiveness affected your heart or health?
What good might God be working through your pain?
Is there a way you can rebuild trust with someone who has hurt you?
