The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
-Psalm 103:8

I hope you’re all hanging in there. By my count, this is Week 8 of the “COVID 19 Shut Down.”

For 8 weeks now, you’ve been in cooped-up in close quarters with the same people. There’s no escape. We’re able to pick our friends but when it comes to FAMILY and this quarantine…we’re stuck with them.

This week’s Holy Habit is vital to your survival: FORGIVENESS.

Take a tour with me through some of my dirty laundry, minus the smell, and I’ll teach you 5 Steps I’ve found to be essential for my forgiving others, and myself.

Here are this week’s 3 O’Clock Circle Questions:

1. If you hold onto a grudge and refuse to forgive, what are some negative consequences you and others experience?

2. If you practice the Holy Habit of being QUICK TO FORGIVE, who benefits? How so?

3. Review our 5 Forgiveness Steps.
When someone hurts you, walk this way:

• Give thanks to God for good times you’ve shared and how many times you’ve been forgiven.

• Pray a special blessing over the person – one you’d want spoken over you.

• Step into Their Shoes – See things from their perspective and grow compassion in your heart.

• Forgive – Every time you feel the offense or think about it, ask the Holy Spirit to help you forgive again, and again, 70x7 times forgive.

• Take Action – How can you walk in forgiveness? Pick up the phone. Write a loving note. Make a favorite meal. Ask God what He’d want you to do then do it. Step out in faith!

Remember - Taking these steps of forgiveness will set YOU Free! It’s worth the work it takes.

In the meantime, I hope you’ll remember to be QUICK TO FORGIVE every time you do your laundry or someone you love dumps all their dirty laundry on you.

See you next week!