Forgiveness: Cancellation or release of wrongs committed against us and granting unconditional favor (forgiveness) in the power and name of Jesus. Ephesians 4:32
I love the description above for forgiveness. Cancellation or RELEASE of wrongs. Forgiveness does not say that the offense was OK. Forgiveness is for you, NOT only for the offender. Can you imagine this beautiful word picture as you forgive?
Holding onto hurt and bitterness, overtime can leave you bound to anger. You may become so focused on your pain that it turns your eyes away from Jesus. Releasing hurt and choosing to forgive breaks your heart free from anger and resentment.
Forgiveness can be an act of obedience at first. (Ephesians 4:32: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.) As we choose to forgive, God will begin to deal with our pain. Did you know that God loves for us to come to Him and lay our pain and anger at His feet? Talk to Him about it! He knows how you feel already but talk to Him just the same. Freedom can come as you keep bringing your burdens to Him. (Matthew 11: 28-30) Your prayer may even sound like this, “Father, I need your help in forgiving (name the offender) __________. I can’t do this on my own but I am trusting you as I choose to release the offense and offender to You!”
There may be times that you want to write down everything you might tell the offender. Write all your emotions out! Write everything you want to say, even if it is not nice. THEN….burn it, or tear it up and choose to release all your emotions to God and choose to forgive. Sometimes you just need to get it out! It is OK!
Our prayer is that you will walk in peace, not holding onto the pain that can pull you down. Choose forgiveness. It can set your soul free so it can sing again!