“I forgive you this Christmas.” Even saying these words is difficult for me when I think of certain people in my life, but it’s an opportunity for me to move on and prepare for an exciting new year.
Family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, it doesn’t matter who, at least one of them have done something that doesn’t make it so easy to forgive them. I know I personally can’t always say I forgive someone readily if they have done something that has really hurt me, but I know for my own well being, it needs to be said.
In my prayers, when something like this occurs, I often ask Jesus to help me find a way for my heart to honestly forgive, and I struggle sometimes when I think of certain people and I find it very hard to get to that point. I’ve been hurt, but who hasn’t right? This Christmas, I am getting on my knees and truly asking for Jesus to intervene and help me forgive, especially those people whom I have struggled to forgive.
For any of you who might know what I am talking about, say this prayer with me now: “Dear Lord, how often I have asked for your help in forgiving (say the person’s name). I find myself always thinking of how they hurt me and I even want some kind of revenge or something to happen to them to show them how they hurt me. Please heal these feelings Jesus, and make me a better person, a better Christian. With any pain I may feel because of them, this time of year, I ask for your comfort and your healing. Please find a way that my life can connect with their life again in a more loving way. I believe you can provide the miracle Lord. Guide me to a better place and help me realize whether they apologize or not, they are still your child, loving, kind and human. Help me see only their good qualities, the qualities I choose to focus on from now on. Help me eliminate the negative things about this person and only see good. I ask all of this through Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The holy spirit has guided me to write this today, and I trust that is what I was supposed to do, without reservation. Of course, I write this for my benefit more than anyone elses, but if it’s helped you, I’m glad.
God bless all of you this Christmas, and I wish you all a wonderful, healthy and happy New Year!