Reset

Bonnie Sala: Some wounds are so deep, we choke on even the thought of forgiveness. I'm Bonnie Sayla with Reset. After rebels killed her husband and two sons, Grace fled her village. She ended up in a crowded refugee camp, angry, bitter, and unable to sleep. They took everything from me, she said. I couldn't even pray. But one night, a Christian shared Jesus's words with her. Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Grace laughed bitterly. Only someone who's never suffered would say that, she said. Then the woman explained. Jesus said those words while walking toward his own execution, and he didn't just say them, he lived them.

While his hands and feet were nailed to a wooden cross, he prayed, forgive them. Grace was silent. Forgiveness felt impossible, and it was on her own. But as days passed, she began asking God for help, not to forget, but to be free of hate like Jesus. The ability to forgive is the work of God's spirit. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit is the change agent. It explains that the spirit helps us in our weakness, and here are the results of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

These traits are the evidence of God in us. Months later, Grace said, the memories still hurt, but I'm no longer chained to hate. I can pray, I can even hope. Forgiveness didn't erase Grace's loss, but the Holy Spirit gave her the power to choose love in the middle of pain. That same power is available to you. I'm Bonnie Sayla. Ready to grow your faith, discover practical tools, and more at guidelines.org.