Why We Must Forgive

Forgive whatever grievance you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

My friend’s unkind comments cut me to the bone. After many years of close friendship, she lost her temper, accused me of things I didn’t do and blasted me with an onslaught of hurtful words.

She crossed every boundary of decency, respect and friendship, and the more I replayed her careless and caustic words in my mind, the more furious I became. I felt miserable and decided to have nothing more to do with her. “She doesn’t deserve my forgiveness,” I told myself repeatedly.

I shared my painful experience with another close friend. She listened to me and then surprised me with her advice.

“You need to forgive her. You don’t want to live your life with the weeds of unforgiveness and bitterness growing in your…