Have you ever wondered why forgiveness comes easy when bumping into a stranger and far more difficult when needing to respond to a close relationship? Here’s why: You have far more invested in a close relationship than with a stranger.

When hurt by someone you’re close to or maybe even love, you can become significantly angrier, bent out of shape, defensive, and even prideful. When we refuse to forgive, the anger remains as does the broken relationship. We can fake it for only so long and then things begin to break down. We stop communicating or we simply “unfriend” them. When we withhold forgiveness what are we doing?

We are voicing our objections. We are saying the hurt is bigger than the need for reconciliation. We are saying that even though God can forgive, we cannot, making the cross insufficient for this situation. We are literally saying that the price Christ made for our forgiveness was not enough for our hurt.

When this happens, we are in violation of the scripture. Colossians 3:13 states, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Does this person deserve your forgiveness? Maybe not, but there is a higher law at stake and it’s higher than your feelings. Feelings should not rule our heart–truth should. 

Forgive as you have been forgiven. Don’t let pride get in your way. Your inner peace and your own forgiveness is at stake.