After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)
Have you ever had someone treat you in a way that felt unforgivable? I wish my answer to this question was no. Unfortunately, I found myself pregnant and abandoned at the age of twenty-one. That experience left me holding on to unforgiveness so tightly that it robbed me of joy for years. I chose to ignore the Scripture that says that because we have been forgiven, we must also forgive. I assumed that I had been so wronged that forgiveness, in this instance, did not pertain to me. Maybe you have felt that way, too.
Then I read the story of Job, who was accused by his friends over and over, yet he prayed for them. It wasn’t until after he began to pray for them that his fortunes were restored. I wonder if Job had already forgiven those that had wronged him before praying, or if his prayers were that the Holy Spirit would help him to forgive, as mine usually are.
Forgiving those that have wronged us seems impossible, until we think of all for which we have been forgiven. God knows that we are unable to accomplish this on our own, so he has sent a helper. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to forgive what seems unforgivable. Like Job, let’s open our mouths and pray.
Pray for those who have wronged you.
Heather Mazellan is a student at Wesley Seminary, a thankful wife, and a joyful mother to three kids.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
