Good afternoon, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, I want to talk about something that's easier said than done, yet vital for our spiritual health and well-being: forgiveness.
You might be thinking, "But you don't know what they did to me!" or "I can't just let it go." And you're right, I don't know your personal struggles. But I do know what the Bible says about forgiveness, and I know the power it holds to transform our lives.
Before we continue to dive deeper into what forgiveness is and what we need to do to let go of the burden in our heart. Let us watch the video below and learn what God Standard says about forgiven others.
Why Forgive?
Firstly, let's remember that we've all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We've all needed forgiveness, and through Jesus, we've been freely given it. As forgiven people, we're called to forgive others (Ephesians 4:32).
But forgiveness isn't just a command to obey; it's a gift to ourselves. Harbouring unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It hurts us more than it hurts them. It's like carrying a heavy backpack of bitterness, resentment, and anger. Forgiveness is the act of setting that backpack down and walking free.
What Forgiveness Isn't
Forgiveness isn't saying that what happened is okay. It isn't excusing the other person's actions. It isn't forgetting what happened or pretending it didn't hurt. And it isn't necessarily reconciling with the person, especially if they're toxic or abusive.
What Forgiveness Is
Forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. It's choosing to see the other person as God sees them - flawed, broken, but loved. It's trusting that God will deal with them justly and lovingly.
How to Forgive
- Pray: Ask God to soften your heart and help you forgive.
- Choose to Forgive: It's a decision, not a feeling. You might need to make this decision daily, or even hourly, at first.
- Release the Debt: Imagine the person's sin as a debt they owe you. Forgiveness is cancelling that debt.
- Pray for Them: This can be hard, but it helps to change your perspective.
- Seek Support: Talk to a trusted friend, pastor, or counsellor about your struggle.
The Benefits of Forgiveness
Forgiveness leads to freedom, peace, and joy. It improves our mental and physical health. It restores our relationship with God and others. It allows us to move forward, unshackled from the past.
Remember, forgiveness is a journey, not a destination. It might take time, and that's okay. Keep choosing to forgive, and keep trusting God with your pain.
In conclusion, let's remember Jesus' words on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34). If Jesus could forgive his executioners, surely we can forgive those who've wronged us.
Let's choose forgiveness, and in doing so, choose freedom.