“Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.” (Col 3:13-14 The Message)

The highlight of our New Zealand trip was cancelled! The winds around Mount Cook were too turbulent and all air transport had been annulled. There wouldn’t be a helicopter ride over Mount Cook, we wouldn’t be able to land on top of the tallest mountain in New Zealand, and we wouldn’t be able to admire pristine views from the top!

A few years ago I would have been so mad that smoke would have streamed from my ears. Literally (I know, I would have made a fortune at the circus, but believe me, it’s not worth it)! I mean, a trip of a life time cancelled by inclement weather! Come on! Unforgiveness would have fostered in my heart and I would have made anyone around me miserable.

To be honest though, I would have been the most wretched of all, as the snares of unforgiveness robs us not only of vitality, but also of our real purpose for living. If unforgiveness haunts our souls, we can forget about victorious living! It’s impossible for the two to go together!

“And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive – only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.” (Mark 11:25 The Message)

This time however, instead of getting mad and becoming unforgiving, I decided that God had better plans for us. And He did! We explored our surroundings by foot and discovered pristine scenes with Mount Cook in the background, scenes we would have missed had I been puffed up with my hurt ego!

And once we arrived on the northern island, we discovered a helicopter ride to White Island, the most active volcano island in the Southern hemisphere! It was an out-of-this-world experience, one we wouldn’t have been able to afford if we had taken the Mount Cook tour!

Unforgiveness is unhealthy. It eats us up from the inside out and defeats us from ever experiencing inner peace, happiness and victory. By forgiving, we are not only letting go of past offences, but we are liberating ourselves from a vicious prison called self-pity.

I recently found an old prison building in the community of Port Dalhousie in Ontario. The old building that once held its prisoners captive, preventing their escape, has now been transformed into an ice-cream parlor, its doors open wide to anyone in need of refreshment from the heat. Gone is the anger, and instead it had become a place of relief and celebration.

“They’ve cancelled my Mastercard!”

So what, let’s enjoy what God has given us. There is so much we can be thankful for!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Fearless Victory!” devotional series, please click here.)