March Madness—A Biblical Course in Anger Management: Forgiveness by David Jeremiah

March Madness—A Biblical Course in Anger Management: Forgiveness

MARCH 23, 2019

As we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:12

Between chemotherapy appointments last summer, Mike Veley planned a trip to Europe with his wife, but things went wrong in Venice when a pickpocket robbed them. After asking God to help him manage his anger, Veley wrote an open letter to the thief: “This is my last trip with my wife. I’m dying from cancer. You left me with no money and no credit cards. Imagine for only a moment what this does to your victim. I have been praying for forgiveness. I also pray for you. Turn away from your sin which hurts innocent people. I forgive you. Michael Veley, USA.”

When a local Italian paper printed his letter, the couple was showered with hospitality, though they soon had to return to the States for chemotherapy. “The memory of this trip was initially ruined,” Veley said, “but after writing this letter the memory has now gone from anger and frustration to joy.”

When we choose to forgive, we unchain the shackles of anger in our hearts. Forgiveness helps us move from frustration to joy.

I don’t know the source of your betrayal, hurt or disappointment. But I do know that there is a way to get rid of those seeds of anger, and that it all relates to forgiveness.
Gary Smalley, in From Anger to Intimacy