I Forgive You
FORGIVENESS IS NOT FORGETTING THE WRONG, IT IS REMEMBERSING WITHOUT ALL THE ANGER!
What is forgiveness?
Okay, I get it. That person hurt you. You are angry, embarrassed and you may want to cry. Forgiveness is a decision to release the negative feelings of resentment toward a person who has hurt you. It does not mean that you forget what they did, it just means that you DECIDE (choose) not to be angry about it anymore.
How do I decide not to let it bother me?
When things bother you, you think about it all day and sometimes all night. You let your emotions take control with anger and bitterness, even fear. You don’t even want to speak to that person ever again. All these negative emotions can make you exhausted and sad. You are letting the person who hurt you go on in life not caring or even knowing how they’ve hurt you. It’s like they are controlling your mood with their actions. Do not give anyone that much power over your life. You can control your emotions.
So, how do you control your emotions? How do you stop the negative emotions from overpowering you? The answer: Know who you are in Christ.
Through Christ:
- You are far from oppression and will not live in fear (Isaiah 54:13).
- You have received the power of the Holy Spirit and He can do miraculous things through you. You have authority and power over the enemy in this world (Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:17-19).
- In all circumstances you live by faith in God and extinguish all the flaming darts (attacks) of the enemy.
- You can do whatever you need to do in life through Christ Jesus who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13)
- You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
Jesus said, “Behold (observe this), I give unto you power (authority) to tread (trample) on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt (harm) you (Luke 10:19). So, with that being said, you have to DECIDE not to let it bother you. When the hurt comes back up (and it will) in your thoughts, cast that thought down by thinking of something good, laugh, finish an activity, read your favorite scripture about forgiveness. Until you can remember without the anger, do whatever helps you to cast down that thought. Remember, you are learning how to remember the hurt without anger. So, love that person and like Jesus said on the cross. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”.
We are not perfect either. We have done some things to hurt others as well. We want forgiveness too. It’s all about loving one another even when we are hurt. So, decide today that you are not going to let your emotions take over through anger and bitterness. Let your decision to forgive be above your negative emotions. You should love and pray for that person. I know, it is easier said than done, but you have to do it, if you want the Father to forgive you of your sins. Forgiving comes with practice and again it is not easy, but you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Ask Him to help you forgive those who hurt you. With forgiveness comes peace. Your peace is too expensive to let someone take it from you.
An example: A husband is caught cheating on his wife, and he has confessed to it. He is deeply sorry and asks for forgiveness. Should the wife forgive him? Is this an unforgiveable sin? I know it sure hurts, badly. How do you forgive your husband and go on with life?
Again, forgiveness is a process that must be practiced until we get it right. So, there will be a great deal of anger and your negative emotions will overpower your decision to forgive, at first. You can either stay with him and work it out or you can leave him. Whatever decision you make, “YOU MUST FORGIVE HIM”. Your peace depends on it. You must forgive him for you, not for him. Learn from your mistakes and move on with or without him. No one on this earth has a perfect marriage or life, so practice forgiving and remembering without the anger. Your life depends on it. God Bless!