is forgiveness an option?

Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and
then waiting for the rat to die.
~ Anne Lamott

What are your thoughts? Do you think forgiveness is an option? Based on what we’ve learned so far and based on what we’ve been told in Matthew 6:14-15:

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly
Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others,
your Father will not forgive your sins.


I’d say no, forgiveness isn’t an option.

Well . . . actually, let me take that back. I suppose forgiveness is an option if we:

  • Don’t want God to forgive our sins and live forgiven
  • Want to live bound in shackles of bitterness, resentment, and pain
  • Don’t want to live in freedom
  • Don’t want to show Christ’s love to others
  • Want to live physically unhealthy from symptoms of unforgiveness

Just to name a few. I think we get the idea!

Friends, when we’re leashed up to anger, unforgiveness and resentment . . . do you realize what we’re dragging around through life with us? Here’s a story that illustrates this point well:

It’s a beautiful day so we decide to spend some time at the local park. While we’re there, we find a bench in a lovely area and sit for a while. But we soon discover we’re not alone on this bench. Instead, our constant companions unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, resentment, and pain have decided to join us. A while later, when we get up to walk away, we realize all that junk is still with us. It’s tied up to the bench, and tied up to us and if we won’t release it from our lives, it’s like literally dragging a park bench of ugly emotions through life. Exhausting.

Forgiveness is the gift of freedom. Forgiveness is the ultimate gift that money cannot buy.

For give ness.

But back to the original question . . . is forgiveness an option? I suppose it is. After all, we’ve been given free will.

Maybe a better question is, “Do we really want to live a life burdened by unforgiveness?”

If you’d like to keep up with 31 Days of Forgiveness, you can
sign up to get each post sent right to your inbox!

{read 31 days of forgiveness from the beginning}

251 Comments

  1. Homeserve USA November 9, 2018 at 8:46 am

    I am really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one today..

    Reply
  2. Homeservice Club November 9, 2018 at 9:23 am

    This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

    Reply
  3. би лайф коллекшн пунта кана November 9, 2018 at 12:16 pm

    Thanks for expressing your ideas. Another thing is that scholars have an option between federal government student loan as well as a private student loan where it truly is easier to choose student loan consolidating debts than with the federal student loan.

    Reply
  4. Home Service Plans November 11, 2018 at 8:57 pm

    I was just seeking this information for a while. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your web site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list. Generally the top web sites are full of garbage.

    Reply
  5. Roofing November 11, 2018 at 10:01 pm

    Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely fantastic. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I can not wait to read much more from you. This is actually a tremendous web site.

    Reply
  6. Home Warranty November 11, 2018 at 11:54 pm

    I do trust all the concepts you’ve presented on your post. They’re really convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are too short for beginners. May you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.

    Reply
  7. Renovation Costs November 12, 2018 at 9:11 pm

    I will immediately grab your rss feed as I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me understand in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.

    Reply
  8. Home Repair November 13, 2018 at 12:27 am

    Hello.This post was extremely remarkable, especially because I was browsing for thoughts on this matter last Tuesday.

    Reply
  9. Home Maintenance November 14, 2018 at 1:45 am

    I will right away seize your rss as I can not in finding your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me recognise in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

    Reply
  10. Renovation November 14, 2018 at 2:21 am

    hi!,I love your writing so a lot! proportion we keep in touch extra about your article on AOL? I need a specialist on this space to unravel my problem. Maybe that is you! Taking a look ahead to see you.

    Reply
  11. homosexual November 14, 2018 at 8:15 am

    Hello there, I found your blog via Google even as looking for a related subject, your site came up, it looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Reply
  12. Home Service Plans November 15, 2018 at 2:39 am

    Thank you so much for providing individuals with an extremely memorable opportunity to discover important secrets from this blog. It is usually so amazing and as well , jam-packed with a lot of fun for me and my office mates to visit your blog not less than 3 times per week to learn the new guides you will have. And indeed, we are at all times impressed with your astonishing tips and hints you give. Selected 2 facts in this article are absolutely the most impressive we have all had.

    Reply
  13. Land For Sale November 15, 2018 at 5:31 am

    You made some clear points there. I looked on the internet for the topic and found most individuals will agree with your website.

    Reply
  14. homosexual November 15, 2018 at 6:40 pm

    Hi there! I just want to give you a huge thumbs up for the great info you have got right here on this post. I am coming back to your web site for more soon.

    Reply
  15. Property Search November 15, 2018 at 11:18 pm

    I am continuously invstigating online for ideas that can benefit me. Thanks!

    Reply
  16. Foreclosed Homes November 15, 2018 at 11:20 pm

    Someone necessarily lend a hand to make severely posts I might state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and so far? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular put up incredible. Magnificent task!

    Reply
  17. Men'S Health November 16, 2018 at 2:31 am

    I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

    Reply
  18. Health Department November 16, 2018 at 3:18 am

    I want to show my love for your kindness in support of folks that must have help with the theme. Your personal commitment to getting the solution up and down ended up being especially significant and has consistently allowed others much like me to get to their aims. This useful facts entails so much to me and additionally to my peers. Many thanks; from everyone of us.

    Reply
  19. Plumbing November 18, 2018 at 9:14 pm

    Thank you, I have just been searching for information approximately this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the source?

    Reply
  20. Stock Prices November 18, 2018 at 9:25 pm

    Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.

    Reply
  21. Yahoo Finance November 19, 2018 at 3:36 am

    I think other web site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and great user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!

    Reply
  22. Financial News November 19, 2018 at 3:36 am

    You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation but I to find this matter to be actually something that I think I’d by no means understand. It kind of feels too complicated and very huge for me. I’m taking a look forward in your next post, I¡¦ll try to get the grasp of it!

    Reply
  23. Comprehensive Insurance November 20, 2018 at 10:14 pm

    Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What a perfect site.

    Reply
  24. Motorcycle Insurance November 21, 2018 at 1:35 am

    Valuable info. Lucky me I discovered your website by chance, and I’m stunned why this accident did not came about earlier! I bookmarked it.

    Reply
  25. Auto Insurance November 21, 2018 at 1:53 am

    Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    Reply
  26. Google November 21, 2018 at 11:19 am

    Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is really frustrating. A good web site with interesting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  27. Bordir Pro Surabaya November 21, 2018 at 11:30 pm

    Hi there. I found your blog by way of Google at the same time as looking for a comparable matter, your web site got here up. It looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  28. Konveksi Surabaya November 21, 2018 at 11:58 pm

    Awesome write-up. I am a regular visitor of your blog and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  29. INSGK November 22, 2018 at 12:55 am

    Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is really frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  30. Harga Tiket Masuk Wisata November 22, 2018 at 2:43 am

    Hello there. I found your website by the use of Google even as looking for a comparable matter, your website came up. It seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  31. epson et 2750 software November 22, 2018 at 5:41 am

    Awesome write-up. I’m a regular visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a regular visitor for a really long time.

    Reply
  32. epson et 3750 driver November 22, 2018 at 6:08 am

    Hi there. I discovered your blog via Google at the same time as searching for a related subject, your site got here up. It appears good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  33. kainbatikbagus.com November 22, 2018 at 8:04 am

    Awesome write-up. I am a normal visitor of your website and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a frequent visitor for a really long time.

    Reply
  34. Harga Kamera Nikon November 22, 2018 at 8:39 am

    Awesome write-up. I’m a normal visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a frequent visitor for a really long time.

    Reply
  35. Whole Food Vitamins November 22, 2018 at 10:53 pm

    I have been surfing on-line greater than 3 hours these days, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It¡¦s beautiful worth sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content as you probably did, the web will probably be a lot more helpful than ever before.

    Reply
  36. layarindo 21 November 23, 2018 at 12:15 am

    Awesome write-up. I am a normal visitor of your website and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a regular visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  37. indo xxi November 23, 2018 at 12:48 am

    Awesome post. I am a regular visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a regular visitor for a really long time.

    Reply
  38. LK21 November 23, 2018 at 1:57 am

    Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is really annoying. A good website with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  39. Healthcare Articles November 23, 2018 at 3:37 am

    My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

    Reply
  40. Department Of Health November 23, 2018 at 4:04 am

    Definitely, what a splendid blog and instructive posts, I surely will bookmark your blog.All the Best!

    Reply
  41. indowme November 23, 2018 at 4:49 am

    Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is really annoying. A good blog with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this web-site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  42. Men'S Health November 23, 2018 at 5:36 am

    Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.

    Reply
  43. Small Business Ideas November 23, 2018 at 5:36 am

    I together with my pals happened to be checking the nice tips and tricks on your web blog and the sudden came up with an awful suspicion I had not thanked the web blog owner for those strategies. These guys were definitely for that reason joyful to read them and have now in actuality been using these things. We appreciate you simply being simply accommodating as well as for picking variety of nice themes most people are really wanting to understand about. My honest regret for not saying thanks to sooner.

    Reply
  44. Modern Home Decor November 23, 2018 at 8:20 am

    Awesome post. I am a normal visitor of your website and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a really long time.

    Reply
  45. Home Design Ideas November 23, 2018 at 8:48 am

    Hey there. I found your blog by the use of Google even as searching for a similar topic, your web site came up. It appears to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

    Reply
  46. Cara Download Video di Facebook November 23, 2018 at 9:37 am

    Awesome write-up. I am a normal visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a regular visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  47. maxbet November 23, 2018 at 10:07 am

    Hello there. I discovered your web site by the use of Google whilst looking for a related matter, your website got here up. It appears good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  48. dropship bukalapak November 23, 2018 at 11:50 am

    Hey there. I discovered your site by the use of Google whilst looking for a similar topic, your website got here up. It looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *