How can I forgive a family member who has harmed me?

Although my instinct is to repay another with evil for evil

How come the Bible says to always seek after that which is good

For another and for all people (1 Thess. 5:15),

Including those who harm me for my sake?

How can we overcome evil with good? (Rom. 12:21)

How can we forgive those evil people?

How can we seek after that which is good for them? (1 Thess. 5:15)

How can this be possible?

Joseph in the Bible did so.

Not only did he sincerely forgive his older brothers who hated him and even tried to kill him,

He also comforted them and spoke kindly to them, took care of them and their children,

And he died at the age of 110 (Gen. 50:21, 26).

How was this possible?

It was because Joseph tasted God’s goodness (Ps. 34:8)

That he was able to do good to his brothers (Eph. 2:10).

In other words, because Joseph understood the God’s good will in which

Even though his older brothers meant evil against him, but God meant it for good

In order to bring about this result of preserving many people alive (Gen. 50:2),

That was why he was able to sincerely forgive his older brothers

And comforted them and spoke kindly to them and took care of them and their children.

Only when the Lord gives us understanding and faith to believe and know

That God intends it for good to accomplish His saving will

Even when those evil people intend to harm us,

Then we can forgive those who harm us and even who try to harm us,

Comfort them, take care of them and do good to them.

Let us long for this great grace of God.