Unforgiveness is an emotion that stems from resentment against a person for an offence or injustice (either real or imagined). Resentment is to be bitter towards, to feel offended by, to feel animosity towards, etc.

Unforgiveness is a negative feeling. Unforgiveness is to harbour grudges, to retain bitterness, to store animosity. When we are hurt or offended by a person, group of persons, situation or circumstance and we refuse to pardon the offender/s and move on to keep these feelings of animosity in the heart and mind, we are living in unforgiveness.

This means that we lock negative emotions inside our hearts. We nurture, nurse and cultivate hurts and wounds in our minds.

Unforgiveness is damaging. It is harmful, it is seriously unhealthy. Unforgiveness makes the heart unwell. When we store bitterness and animosity in the heart, then tend and pamper it to grow and flourish in the heart; that heart becomes a sick heart. A heart that grows resentment, ill-will, anger and hurt is definitely a very unhealthy heart.

Unforgiveness is a heart condition, and like every other heart condition it can lead to heart failure and consequently loss of life.

Unforgiveness is poison. When we harbour negative feelings in the heart and spirit, it is toxin in the heart and spirit. The heart is the life giving force of a person. It powers the entirety of our being. When the heart is filled with venom, the whole being is definitely diseased and seriously afflicted whether one believes it or not. When a heart is filled with bile, it affects the quality of ones life.

When unforgiveness is alive in a person’s heart, nothing good can survive in that heart, that spirit or that life at that period. Unforgiveness makes us physically and spiritually unhealthy. For an unhealthy mind will certainly make an unhealthy body.

Unforgiveness defiles the mind, the thinking. It even corrupts one’s vision. Positive thoughts and actions are almost impossible when the heart is bogged down with bile.

When we live in unforgiveness we hinder ourselves, for unforgiveness delays blessings and blocks ‘breakthroughs’. When we refuse to forgive those who offend us we invariably close ourselves off completely from God’s pardon and mercy- Matt18:23-35. ”If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your heavenly father will not forgive you your sins” Matt6:14-15.

Forgiveness of others is the condition God has given for our own forgiveness. When we give forgiveness, God in turn gives us His mercy and blots out our many offences immediately we ask.

Forgiveness is love in action. We practice love when we forgive. When someone offends us and we forgive, we create avenues for our own blessings and liftings. We release our blessings and lives supplies when we release those who offend us. When we lock people up in unforgiveness, we inevitably lock up our lives and destinies in limitations.

Unforgiveness is a hall-mark of losers, non-achievers and small minds. People who are going great do not concede to unforgiveness. Joseph the son of Jacob had every reason to hold his brothers who sold him into slavery in unforgiveness. But because he was a man with a great vision, he forgave them completely in love and he showed them mercy. Gen45:4-8.

Those who are looking to affect their generation positively cannot afford to defile themselves with unforgiveness. Anyone who wants to shine and stand out for excellence will not darken his heart with unforgiveness.

Unforgiveness impedes progress and stifles creativity.

Offence will surely come. When someone offends you, let them know and whether they admit the offence, apologise or not, be willing to completely pardon and release them in forgiveness.

Forgiveness is the antidote to unopen doors. When certain doors of life seem to remain shut over time, try forgiveness.

Forgiveness makes the heart and spirit free to focus on lofty ideals. It leaves the spirit unfettered to soar with positive energy.

We should not be weary to forgive. As often as we are offended we should reach out in forgiveness. In Matt18:21-23, Peter asked Jesus how often he is expected to forgive a person who keeps offending. Jesus answered him ”…not seven times, but seventy times seven.” That is, repeatedly, again and again.

Forgiveness is light dispelling darkness in the heart and mind. Fill your heart with life and your life with light… forgive!

Please pray this prayer:

For every unforgiveness in my heart, I receive healing today. I receive the love of Jesus to penetrate deep to where I feel the hurt of the offence most and cleanse me completely. Right now I release everyone that I hold in unforgiveness and I declare that they are all completely forgiven. Therefore, every door of goodness and mercy that has remained shut against me, open for me now! Thank you Lord. In Jesus Name I pray Amen.-KJO