Good morning! How are we faithing? It's really hard to forgive someone who dumps junk all over you. It's difficult to deal with perceived jerks who hurt us with words and deeds. The Word tells us we are to forgive and dog gone it, sometimes I don't want to forgive! I want to wallow in my anger and hurt. Sound ridiculous? Of course it does because it is. Why would we want to remain angry and plot revenge? Dumb but we all do it because we are sinful creatures and that thought process provides temporary retribution for hurt. Here's the rub, it doesn't last, it doesn't help and it perpetuates the whole mess. Be honest with yourself on this and you will see the folly of retribution. Are there things that require justice? Well of course and that is what courts are for so we can live safely in a society but that is not what we are talking about. Peter asked Jesus how many times to forgive and Jesus replied, "seventy times seven" Think about that, the same sin forgiven over and over. That's the point of it. It's hard sometimes because some people just deserve a slap but alas, who does that benefit? Of course self defense to violence requires actions but if you think about that, retribution isn't what that is. Look at these and just think about revenge and forgiveness. Also remember our own mistakes and what we deserve, rather humbling...

Matt 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
NKJV

Luke 17:3-4
Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
NKJV

2 Cor 2:10-11
Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
NKJV

Col 3:12-14
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
NKJV

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for your grace that saves us. Lord, our sins are many and we make the effort not to sin but we do anyways. Forgive us and help us recognize the sin before we commit it. Lord change our hearts to a just forgiving one. Grant us wisdom and bring to remembrance your Word. Lord we lift our leaders up to you. Bless our endeavors, in Jesus name, amen