My mother-in-law exemplifies forgiveness. She herself grew up with an abusive mother, a mother who needed much care as she grew older. So she moved her mom in next door. For most of the next ten years, her mother continued to treat her badly. Although my mother-in-law drew boundaries, she kept on forgiving. Not long before her mother died, her mom finally gave her heart to Jesus. It was the beautiful fruit of a story of persevering forgiveness.

What’s at the heart of her ability to forgive? She deeply understands Jesus’ forgiveness. I remember when she told me that she was convicted about her own heart towards her mother. From my perspective, her mother’s sin was so much worse than hers. Yet she knew she needed forgiveness, too. I saw the Lord fill her heart with even greater love for her mother.

If you are struggling to forgive someone today, cry out to the Lord. Tell Him that you want to be able to forgive as you have been forgiven. Jesus will respond to you with gentleness, love, and the power to truly forgive.