“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

My brother, we must have a forgiving heart. We must be long-suffering. If what someone has done to us outnumber the sins we’ve committed against the Lord, then we can be as unforgiving as we want to be, but you and I both know that is not the case. Our sins against God outnumber the sand on the sea shore. We have no right to harbor offense. None, whatsoever. We forgive with God’s help, and let God deal with people. Vengeance is His, He repays.

Silent treatments is controlling and manipulative behaviors. It says, until you’re behaving the way I want you to behave, I’m not talking to you. Then, we have the nerve to go worship a holy Father acting this way and expect Him to commune with us. The audacity! No, we love and forgive. We communicate from the heart the wrong that was committed, and then go to God with our gift of worship. If they don’t respond in a way that nurtures love and humility, then at least we’ve done our part. As much as in our power, we walk in peace with people. We are kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven us.

God is removing every trace of heart hardness and unforgiveness from His son’s hearts. If we won’t forgive others, He won’t forgive us. That’s heavy, my brother. There are some ways people have that I don’t like, but I know I have ways that people don’t like as well. But God is working. I pray He helps us believe that His love has been shed abroad on our hearts by His Holy Spirit. In Christ, we have an infinite, limitless capacity to love. Yes, communicate and set healthy boundaries, but we forgive through Christ who strengthens us. I declare we have a forgiving heart. We are full of compassion like our Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name!