Unforgiveness is the one guaranteed formula for smothering our originality. When you have been wronged, a poor memory is your best response. Never carry a grudge. While you’re straining under its weight, the other guy’s out producing.
Forgive your enemies—nothing annoys them more. There is no revenge so sweet as forgiveness. The only people you should try to get even with are those who have helped you.
“Forgiveness ought to be like a canceled note—torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one,” (Henry Ward Beecher). Never is God operating in your life so strong as when you forego revenge and dare to forgive an injury.
“He who cannot forgive, destroys the bridge over which he may one day need to pass,” said Larry Bielat. “Never cut what can be untied,” (Joseph Joubert). Hate, bitterness and revenge are luxuries none of us can afford.
People need loving most when they deserve it least. Forgiveness heals; unforgiveness wounds. Matthew 5:25 (LB) says, “Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late.” The best healing is a quick healing.
You can’t get ahead when you’re trying to get even. Being offended is a strategy of Satan’s to get you out of the will of God. When we think about our offense, trouble grows; when we think about God, trouble goes.
When you don’t forgive, you are ignoring its impact on your destiny. Hate is a prolonged form of suicide of your dreams. How much more grievous are the consequences of unforgiveness than the causes of it!
It’s true that the one who forgives ends the quarrel. Patting a fellow on the back is the best way to get a chip off his shoulder. Forgive your enemies—you can’t get back at them any other way! Forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the high cost of hatred, and the waste of energy.
Christians Give and Forgive
There are two marks of a Christian: giving and forgiving.
If you want to be miserable, hate somebody. Unforgiveness does a great deal more damage to the vessel in which it is stored than the object on which it is poured.
“Life is an adventure in forgiveness,” says author Norman Cousins. “Every person should have a special cemetery lot in which to bury the faults of friends and loved ones. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you” (Unknown).
Forgive someone every day.
Excerpt permission granted by Insight International
John Mason is an international bestselling author, minister, publisher, executive author coach, and noted speaker. He’s the founder and president of Insight International and Insight Publishing Group. Both organizations are dedicated to helping people reach their dreams and fulfill their God-given destinies.
He has authored thirty-two books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original—Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits Then Ignore Them which have sold over 2 million copies and are translated into 40 different languages throughout the world. His books are widely regarded as a source of godly wisdom, scriptural motivation, and practical principles. His writings have been published twice in Reader’s Digest along with numerous other national and international publications. Seven of his books have reached number one on Amazon bestseller lists.
He’s been the president of two Christian publishing companies. He’s also a former Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson Publishers (Harper Collins), the 6th largest book publisher in the world and largest Christian publisher.
He’s an internationally recognized executive author coach, helping numerous prominent authors with their books for more than thirty years. Politicians, NBA, NFL, PGA, MLB, an Olympic gold medalist and other professional athletes, billionaires, businesspeople, pastors, ministers, New York Times bestselling authors, a Fortune 500 CEO, Navy SEALs, Top Gun pilots, and a Texas governor have all benefitted from his knowledge.
Known for his quick wit, powerful thoughts, and insightful ideas, he is a popular speaker across the US and around the world.