Ephesians 4:31-32 AMP
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence]. Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.
REFLECTION
Healthy individual and communal growth requires perpetual forgiveness: receiving forgiveness from God, in Christ Jesus; forgiving ourselves; receiving and extending forgiveness to and from others. When anger suddenly rises up within, triggered perhaps by some unmet expectation or misunderstanding that quickly translates to offense, we have a choice: to forgive or stay offended. Forgiveness doesn’t mean we ignore problems, but rather we prayerfully tackle issues with self-control and without bitterness. Yes, it can be unspeakably hard, but I’ve found that prayer and time in The Word makes it possible. Only our perfect Maker can help us truly forgive and transform from glory to glory. So let’s first and foremost stay close to Him, through it all, that we may be able to freely forgive, be blessed and help those in need.
PRAYER POEM: Call
Lord of all ~ on Your name we call, for You alone our sins atone; You alone can our fears quell ~ oh, help us learn to live and love well.
