Forgiveness: The Path to Real Peace and Joy - by Joyce Meyer

Jesus said to him, “Get up; pick up your pallet and walk.”

— John 5:8

A few years ago someone told me about a person who was doing business with our ministry and making a good deal of money because of their relationship with us. My friend happened to be at the same restaurant, seated in the next booth, and overheard their conversation, which just happened to be about me—and they weren’t saying good things either.

At first I got mad and just wanted to tell him that he was never getting our business again. But that night, the Holy Spirit said to me, “You’re not going to do any of those things.” He said, “No, you’re going to do what you teach. You’re going to go buy him a present, and you’re going to tell him how much you appreciate the services that he’s given you all these years.”

It wasn’t easy, but God gave me the grace to obey His direction and be a blessing to this man.

What I remember most about the situation is that as soon as I started taking action to do something good for him, I actually had fun doing it.

When we can look at people who’ve hurt us with compassion, there’s a party that goes on inside of us because of how God’s joy fills our soul.

So who can you forgive and do something nice for today? Practice forgiveness and follow the path that leads to real peace and joy!