Key to forgiveness

How many times do we forgive? 7 times 70? (Mt 18:22). And yet when unkind thoughts trigger the emotions of the past, we find that our memories are not full of forgiveness; they are unforgiving, and even requiring. All the injustices of the unkindness of others can come tumbling down to our heart in an instant once the memories are triggered by present circumstances.
Though God could control our present circumstances to protect us from re-living past unkindnesses, He doesn’t choose this way with His children. God would like us to have a heart like His; a heart full of compassion and mercy. If we complain that we, in reality, are people and He is God, and if we pursue this argument to justify our woundedness and pain, it is futile. Though God is God, He is still daily, hourly, even minute-by-minute making us into His image. And when we will lay down our justifications for unforgiveness, He will share His heart with us and bring deep and thorough healing there.
This morning the Lord awoke me after I had dreamt about 3 people who had injured me. Though I thought I had forgiven them, in the dream I didn’t do well. I was berating them, and not giving credit for the goodness they had done, nor the difficult circumstances from their own lives. In prayer I forgave them again. But the Lord is faithful to bring us to continuing deeper levels in our heart, and said to me, “You are having trouble with forgiveness, aren’t you?” Yes, how well the Lord knows me! It seemed I couldn’t make the forgiveness “stick”. Then He prayed this prayer through me;
“Lord, thank you for ________. She/he is your child and you love them. They have worth. Please show me your thoughts for them, and put blessings in my heart to pray for them. Thank you. Amen.”
I was given the realization that, until we can bless those who curse us, we cannot forgive (Mt 5:44). Until we can share God’s thoughts about those who wound us, we are left with our own, which grow sour over time. The key to forgiveness is to have God’s heart towards all people, whether they have wronged us a little, or a lot. And this is the beginning of walking in His resurrection power (Phil 3:10-11); prayer for those for whom we carry God’s heart. This gift of forgiveness that we give our brothers and sisters is rich, and enrichens us. How near it is, and available to us when we lay down our own mind about each matter. And how worth it to be shaped a little more into His image. Amen.