“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great and you will be sons of Elyon, for He is kind to the ungrateful and evil ones.” Luke 6:35, TLV

Forgiving Debts.   It had been over a year, and the person we had lent a chunk of money to, still had not paid us back. A person from our congregation. They had promised. Told us they hadn’t forgotten. Would get to us soon. Apologized that it was taking so long. On and on.

At some point, we realized they weren’t going to pay us back. Or couldn’t pay us back.

It was time we forgave the loan and forgive that person.

My husband was able to do that quickly. He was able to compassionately go to this person and tell them they no longer owed the debt.

Me? Well, it took me longer. I couldn’t get past the “wrong.” It wasn’t because of the money–it was not fulfilling the promise.

What I was blind to is my own debt. The debt of unforgiveness and holding offense against another person. Something I had to repent of and seek my Heavenly Father’s mercy to forgive my debt. What had been a “simple” loan had turned into a very real and complex life lesson. Life lessons that had translated into pride and judgment to name a few.

My heart was crowded with my own sin.

Like my Father did for me, I had to follow and do the same for this person. And doing that, I was able to look at this person with clean eyes.

If any remembrance with malice surfaced, I had to stop and repent again. Because if I didn’t, I would fall back into a place I didn’t want to be. The place Jesus spoke of in the parable of the master and the slave.

‘Wasn’t it necessary for you also to show mercy to your fellow slave, just as I showed mercy to you?’ “So also, My heavenly Father will do to you, unless each of you, from your hearts, forgives his brother.” (Matthew 18:33-35, TLV)

Is there someone who wronged us? Someone who reneged on a commitment?

Are we tormented by the injustice of them failing to do what they promised?

Seek the LORD and let Him help you forgive the “debt.” You’ll feel so much better, and that’s far more valuable than what was lost.