"I Wonder"

Sometimes I wonder why, O Lord,

I feel the way I do,

About the way some people act,

It’s tough, I’m telling You.

They could care less ‘bout who they hurt,

And loose with words they say,

And I sometimes react to them,

Forgetting first to pray,

And ask You, Lord, to help me,

Respond with love and grace,

Give them Your forgiveness,

And never slow the race,

With the burden of resentment,

Or a root of bitterness,

That will always quench the Spirit,

And steal my peace and rest.

So, help me, Lord, to act with love,

And always speak what’s true,

And by Your Spirit get this right,

Your power flow right through.

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (Colossians 3:13, NLT)

One of the most challenging things God calls us to do is to forgive others. But in light of the forgiveness we have received how can we do otherwise? Still, when we are wounded by someone it is only grace that can heal that injury and empower us to forgive. It is good to remember that our response by the Spirit has nothing to do with them and everything to do with us. By dropping the weight of bitterness and being healed by the wounds of Jesus we can get this right.

Lord, help us forgive as we have been forgiven, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Teal Blake, used by permission. Thanks, Teal, and God bless you.