Forgiveness
Forgiveness. This is a really tough topic for many individuals. It is also not a singular act. Forgiveness is a process. It takes time and needs to be revisited over and over again. And frankly, some deeds are just harder to forgive than others. Throughout my experience, I have learned that some things I cannot forgive on my own. I need the power and love of Jesus Christ to guide me and sustain me through the process each and every time certain hurts re-enter my heart and mind. You cannot control memories from arising, but you can control your reaction to them.
Satan uses our past pain and memories to remind us of how we have been hurt and wronged. By doing so, he slips a wedge between us and our relationship with Jesus, and even our relationship with others. Satan wants us to think that we have a right to hold onto our anger and that we should use it as a shield to protect us from future pain. But this is just an illusion. Our anger and hurt binds us to Satan, preventing us from truly experiencing the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. It cuts us off from pursing relationships with others—preventing us from loving and fully being loved.
Jesus never meant for us to be bound to our hurts, our anger, our shame, and our hate. He came to rescue us. He sacrificed Himself as the atonement for our sins in order to create a lifeline back to God the Father (John 3:16). He forgave us. He did not provide us with a list of which sins were okay to be forgiven and which were unpardonable. He forgave all sin for those who believe in Him and ask Him for forgiveness, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1: 9). He set the example for us and expects us to follow it, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4: 31-32).
Forgiveness is not easy. It is quite possibly, the hardest action Jesus has called us to perform. Thankfully, He does not require us to forgive on our own, for we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens” us (Philippians 4: 13). Jesus is with us. He will strengthen us. He will help us forgive. Please do not let hate, anger, shame, and hurt keep you from knowing the full love of Jesus Christ. And remember, forgiveness is not for the person who committed the act; it is for the victim. It releases the victim from the shackles Satan attached to us when we were sinned against.
I pray that Jesus will give you the strength to forgive those who have hurt you, so that you may know the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.