Living on this planet, you will always meet people that might hurt you, offend you, misunderstand you, lie to you or even reject you but learning how to respond properly is one of the basic Christian life.
When we wrong someone, we seek his or her forgiveness, likewise when people offend us too they seek our forgiveness. It is important to remember that forgiveness is not granted because a person deserves to be forgiven. Instead, it is an act of our own personal will in submission to God’s will, trusting God to bring emotional healing. There are times we don’t feel like forgiving those who have wronged us but we must have the nature of forgiving others. By forgiving others, we free ourselves spiritually and emotionally.
People who have experienced abuse, rape, death, loss or trauma needs time to sort things out and let God bring them to the place of forgiveness. When someone hurts us, we are under an obligation to God to forgive that person. Matthew 6:14-15
Refusing to forgive is a sin. If we receive forgiveness from God, we must give it to others who hurt us. We cannot hold grudges or seek revenge by ourselves. We are to trust God for Justice. Nothing compares to the freedom we feel when we learn to forgive others. When we choose not to forgive, we become slave to bitterness. We are ones most hurt by holding on to unforgiveness.
From a spiritual perspective, we are all born with sin, separated from God but God in his infinite mercy redeemed us and brought us into his light. Each and every time you mess up, God is there to open arms to offer forgiveness. It’s easier to extend forgiveness to others when we consider the grace that have been shown.
Lack of forgiveness breaks our fellowship with God. You might think you are enjoying your communion with God but the bible is very clear that harbouring bitterness in our hearts is sin. And if we aren’t actively seeking to kill it, we won’t experience everything God has to offer us.
Holding on to resentment will only take your Joy. Forgive repeatedly because God commands it and he knows what’s best for your life. Forgive and let go. Bear with the faults of others as you would have them bear with yours. You can’t continue to be governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation because you have refused to forgive. Joyce Meyer said” Forgiveness is not a feeling- Its a decision we make because we want to do what’s right before God”.
Dear reader, can you look deeply into your life and search through those you have vowed not to ever forgive?. I know its hard! Yes! He raped you, he abused you, she duped you; whatever the case may be! Cry out to God now! It’s a quality decision that won’t be easy and it may take time to get through the process depending on the severity of the offense but let go! Forgiveness is needed. Today is the day to make it right. Its time to give it over to God. Let him heal you and give you the ability to forgive. I know forgiving is hard, but doing it over and over again can seem impossible. But with God, anything can be possible. Quickly forgive now! Pray it out!!!!
Once you have forgiven a person, you need to consider them permanently forgiven! When old feelings rise up within you and Satan tries to convince you that you haven’t really forgiven them, resist him. Say “No, I have already forgiven that person by faith. I refuse to dwell on those old feelings”. Forgive as God forgives. Release that person from guilt permanently and unconditionally. Don’t keep accounts of wrongs you have suffered. Learn to forgive and forget. It will open a new world of blessing to you.
Shalom!
Wunmi Oyesanya
http://mzjewel.com/
info@mzjewel.com
