Shifting Focus

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

Have you ever been wounded so deeply that forgiveness felt impossible?

Over the years, I have counseled many who have experienced betrayal. Maybe it was through a business partner or best friend. The offending damages relationships, perhaps even stealing assets and damaging reputations. "How can I possibly forgive this?" people often ask. The answer? Take a look at Jesus on the cross.

While the world was doing its worst to Jesus, He was doing His best for the world. Picture the scene–He's hanging on a cross, experiencing the greatest injustice in history. The perfect, sinless Son of God is dying for crimes He didn't commit.

You'd expect His eyes to be fixed like lasers on those who beat Him, mocked Him, and nailed Him there. Instead, His eyes were fixed on His Father. So He could say, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Here's what I've learned in over four decades of ministry: Every time someone hurts you, Satan has a strategy. He wants you to focus on that person–what they did, how they hurt you.

But God has a different plan: He wants to use every hurt and disappointment as an opportunity to turn your eyes toward Him.

When you fix your eyes on Jesus instead of the one who hurt you, something miraculous happens. God will change your anger to compassion and your hurt to forgiveness. This may not change the person who hurt you. But it will absolutely change you.

Unforgiveness is like a cup of poison you're drinking while waiting for the other person to die. It's toxic. It robs you of the joy and peace Jesus died to give you. But when you choose forgiveness–when you choose the eternal way–you find freedom.

Think of the name of someone who has hurt you. Now, every time that person comes to mind this week, immediately shift your focus to Jesus and pray for them. Watch how this changes your heart.

Surrender any hurt you are currently focusing on and instead focus on Jesus. As you focus on your Father, your perspective will change and He’ll help you offer what He wants to give.

Prayer: Dear Father, I praise You for Your tremendous character and generous forgiveness. When hurt and betrayal tempt me to focus on the wrong done to me, help me fix my eyes on You instead. Lord, transform my anger into compassion and my bitterness into forgiveness. Let me be known not for holding grudges, but for extending the same grace You've given me. In Jesus' name, Amen.