The Real “F” Word

Read

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Think

“You never so touch the ocean of God’s love as when you forgive and love your enemies.” Corrie Ten Boom

Corrie Ten Boom, author of The Hiding Place endured the horrors of a concentration camp during the war years, subjected to humiliation and degradation that pierced her soul. Among the most degrading experiences were the moments in the delousing shower, where leering guards ogled the women, stripping them not just of their clothes but also of their dignity. Yet, against all odds, she survived that horror of suffering and emerged on the other side with a heart that had learned to forgive, even those monstrous fiends who guarded the shower stalls with perverse pleasure.

Having found peace in forgiveness, she dedicated herself to preaching its power and importance, not just for individuals but for the healing of all of Europe. Her voice echoed in places like Bloemendaal and the United States, carrying the message of reconciliation and grace. However, it was during a sermon in Munich that the true test of her forgiveness came to light.

After delivering a sermon on the boundless forgiveness of Jesus, she was approached by a man whose face stirred a haunting familiarity. He even said to her, “Ja, Fraulein, it is wonderful that Jesus forgives all our sins, just as you say.” At that moment she recognized the voice , the face, it was the face of an SS guard, one of those leering, lecherous figures from her darkest days. In that moment, faced with the living embodiment of her past torment, her hand hesitated, frozen in the grip of unresolved bitterness and pain. Despite her belief in forgiveness, she found herself unable to extend it to this man before her.

In that moment of raw honesty and vulnerability, she turned to prayer, acknowledging her own shortcomings and pleading for God’s help and understanding. And as she prayed, a wave of forgiveness washed over her, a forgiveness that embraced her, she felt the love of God flow through her to him. With her hand no longer frozen by hate, she reached out and offered forgiveness, not just to the man before her but to herself as well, knowing that true forgiveness often blurs the lines between giving and receiving, between healing and being healed.

Apply

We cannot forgive in our own strength; it requires God’s intervention and grace. Who do you need to forgive today? Practice forgiving those who offend you in minor ways, which can build your capacity for forgiveness in more significant situations.

Pray

Heavenly father, help me release the burdens of resentment, anger, and bitterness that weigh heavily on my soul. Teach me to forgive as you have forgiven me. I lift those who are struggling to forgive. Pour out your healing touch upon our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.