One of the obstacles to giving forgiveness is that our flesh never wants to do it. I can't tell you how many people have said to me "I wish I could forgive, but I just don't feel like I can."  Wishing isn't one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but self-control is! That's the reason that God told us in Deut 3:19 that even though He put the choice of Life and death in front of us, we would have to choose life! It's not something we always feel like doing! James 4:7 says that if we will submit ourselves to God and resist the devil he'll flee.  Notice that Satan doesn't flee until after we choose to submit ourselves to God and I can't find anywhere that it says I have to feel like it! Forgiveness is a choice we make in obedience to God's word. It may take a while for our flesh to get over harboring unforgivensess but our spirit man loves it when we choose to follow God!

It isn't easy making the choice to forgive. But living with unforgiveness can be downright deadly! I've heard it said that harboring unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies! That's a good way to think about it, because many, many illnesses, including depression and arthritis, can be linked to bitterness and unforgiveness!

That's why I'm giving you this gift idea to give to some undeserving soul this Christmas! Giving forgiveness will open a door for God to do great things in your life and in the lives of those you choose to forgive. So as you're making your Christmas list this year, try making a list of those that you need to forgive. Maybe it's your spouse or your children. Maybe it's the store clerk that was rude to you. Maybe it's your pastor or your friend. Maybe it's yourself. Your gift of forgiveness will go a long way for God to work in their hearts, and in yours. Ask the Holy Spirit to stir up a heart of compassion in you and release LOVE, JOY, and PEACE in your heart. Be obedient to the still small voice of God and forgive those who have hurt and disappointed you in the past. Your Christmas will be brighter and their life will be better for it too.

Blessings and MERRY Christmas!

Cinde

Cinde Lucas is an ordinary person, who happens to LOVE to encourage and motivate people! She has a passion to share the Love of God with people and to let them know that God is GOOD and He has an AWESOME plan for their lives! Cinde truly desires to lead people into a closer relationship with God through music; her prayer is that the ministry we share will uplift and encourage people to be all that God created them to be. VisitOverflow Ministries at www.CindeLucas.com.

Original publication date: December 19, 2009