Applying 10 themes of Rosh Hashanah to my daily life! Day 7: The Ten Days of Awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are a time when we look for opportunities to improve ourselves and our relationships. Key elements of this time of self-examination are forgiving others who have wronged us, asking forgiveness from those we have wronged and making restitution. Forgiving others does not come naturally to most of us. We may feel justified in holding onto our hurts and bitterness, especially when we feel that the other person hasn’t “earned” our forgiveness, or that they aren’t truly sorry for how they have hurt us. We may even believe that if we do forgive, it will mean that what they did was okay or that it’s okay for them to hurt us again in the future.
What we need to remember is that forgiveness is not about us and the other person. It’s about getting our part right with God. When you don’t forgive, a spiritual bondage is formed. You are giving the enemy a handle or foothold to have power and influence in your life. Picture in your mind a rope between you and the enemy, keeping you in bondage to him. Unforgiveness also forms a bondage between you, the enemy and the other person. It blocks God from working to convict and heal you both. If you want the other person to be convicted, it won’t happen until you choose to forgive. If you want your heart to be healed, it won’t happen until you choose to forgive. In fact, not only will your heart remain wounded, but you will likely experience many physical issues as well.
During these Ten Days of Awe, ask the Lord to show you who you need to forgive. Ask yourself whether holding onto your hurts and bitterness is worth: impacting your physical health? giving Satan a handle in your life? turning yourself over to the tormentors? becoming a collaborator with the enemy? staying in bondage to the person who hurt you? blocking God from working in their heart and yours? blocking yourself from experiencing God’s blessings? The choice is yours. Choose Life. L’Shanah Tovah! “For a good year!”
