Forgiveness…

Forgiving, this is, to me, one of the most challenging commands from our Lord Jesus Christ. To forgive those who have hurt you or someone you love.

The chapter in the book I was reading in my tub of bubbles last night was about the main character standing next to God and God asking him to forgive the man who murdered his daughter. You can imagine the character’s reaction. The same reaction you or I would have.

Here’s where it gets tricky! Our forgiveness of wrongs is for us, not necessarily the offender. To carry the hurt is a dark cloud over our spirit. To forgive isn’t meaning you forget or no longer feel the pain; it doesn’t mean you don’t need to evaluate a situation or relationship. It means letting go. It’s, in a sense handing it over to God, asking him to handle the situation and to help take the hurt away.

Does forgiveness happen instantaneously? No! Does it require repeated prayers of “Lord, I need your strength here because I can’t do it alone and frankly don’t want to.” Yes! That’s right, he’s your Father In heaven, he already knows you have no desire to forgive the hurts, but he also knows it’s the best for you, for us.

Mark 11:25 NLT “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father In heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Matthew 6:14 NLT “If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.”

Proverbs 17:9 “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”

In short, we need to ask for his power and strength to forgive, even if forgiveness wasn’t asked for. We won’t feel it right away. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, just not dwelling. It does not mean that we are just to take and keep taking offenses; discernment at some point needs to enter in, also pray about any continued relationships where hurting is a primary factor.

I struggle with this every day as I tend to be a grudge holder. Have I got it mastered, not in an ounce , but I try, pray about it, ask for my forgiveness, and trust one day I will reach the other side. If that’s the best you can do, it’s a start, remember that. Be blessed, and as always, Thank you for joining me. 🥰