If you have experienced any form of a physical heart condition, you will quickly realise the effect that it has on your whole body. When your heart is not well, everything gets affected. In fact, the heart is our life source. If we have heart problems, it needs serious attention, because it can be life-threatening and result in death.

It's the same with us spiritually. If the condition of our soul (mind will and emotions) is not healthy, it affects every part of our lives and we need to sort it out. It could be ‘life-threatening’ if we chose to ignore it.

Living in this fallen world means that somewhere we are going to get hurt. People do things intentionally or unintentionally that hurt us. Things happen to us that cause pain and brokenness. This results in un-forgiveness and offence in our hearts. Unresolved un-forgiveness or offence will develop into bitterness and anger.

Before we realise it, other people and the things that have been done to us, begin to rule our lives. The enemy uses offence to keep us in prison. The prison of our minds, isolated from people, locked up in our fears, rejection, anger and pain.

How do you know if there is unforgiveness in your heart?

Usually, unforgiveness reveals itself as anger. Do you sometimes snap for no reason? Is there any person that you are avoiding or hoping never to see? This almost always means that deep down there is something that you have not yet been able to forgive.

It is almost impossible to even think of forgiving anyone unless we can learn to receive forgiveness. We have received an abundance of grace and mercy from Christ, and once we realise this, it will help us to extend grace and forgiveness to others.

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times”(Matthew 18:21-22 NIV).

Forgiveness is not a feeling, but rather a decision that you make by the grace of God. Even after you have forgiven, it might not feel like anything has changed. If we have a problem with someone, the Word says we need to go and work it out with them (Matthew 18:18). Don’t push things under the carpet and delay. Act now against the offence and don’t allow a bitter root to develop.