~Forgiveness and Healing~Once you've chosen to forgive, it's pretty easy, just let go and let God. I know, you hear that all the time. You're thinking, "Sheri, that's easier said than done!" Not really. When you stop and think of ALL that we have been forgiven for, how can we NOT forgive? Just say it. . .I forgive, I forgive, I forgive. Keep saying it, get past it.Lord, I have forgiven, please forgive me! I know I don't deserve it, I've been rebellious, judgemental, conditional in the way I love, I have been bitter and angry, I have felt hate! Forgive Me!!!Now. . .the healing will begin the very moment you forgive. You can actually feel it! The very tiny flutter in your heart, like warmth filling your senses, like life filling soul. It's freedom people! It's our freedom to forgive those who have hurt us, trespassed against us, offended us, taken advantage of us, and it's our freedom to allow healing in our hearts. We can choose to be bitter or, we can choose to be better! We can choose to be prisoners to unforgiveness, or a prisoner to Jesus Christ. What will you choose?Just remember, healing is a process. The pain won't go away overnight, we have to work at this. For most, if not all of us, this has been building for years. Give yourself time. Emotional scars run much deeper and take much longer to heal. Just focus on the ONE that is doing the healing. This part is not easy, I'll be honest. I still have moments of anger and resentment, the difference now is that I recognize them and immedietly pray AGAINST them, and I forgive at that very moment.Ephesians 4:26 ~ Be angry and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, not give place to the devil. Did you see that? when we hold on to anger, we give that ole devil a foothold in our lives. . .that's all he needs to keep us from a true relationship with God and eachother, we CHOOSE to give him control!Honestly, it's impossible for us to never be angry, but, we can learn how to control that anger.Be angry and do not sin ~ let me try to explain this. Footnote: anger should not be allowed to fester or continue for long, never be consumed by anger. Instead, as Christians, we should seek oppertunities to express Christ's love.I didn't realize that healing had already begun in my heart. The moment I asked God to work on ME, that took my focus off of her. I didn't take the time to dwell on my anger and bitterness anymore. My focus was now on growing past these feelings that had consumed me.Philippians 4:8 ~ Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.AMEN
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Thank you.These words are so wise.Don\'t let the sun set on anger.
Amen and Amen
Sheri,
Forgiveness is something I\'ve been working on. I really dislike conflict and try to resolve it as soon as I can. I never want anyone to be upset with me. Yet I have had injustice done to me (or at least this is my perception)and I think that I have forgiven only to discover at a later time that I still harbor ill will against a certain individual for what he/she did. I spoke to my priest about this. He gave me some very wise advice which I am now practicing. It is similar to what you are already doing. When an old \'hurt\' comes to the surface, I simply need to ask God to take the pain and/or suffering that Jane, for example, caused me and ask that this pain and suffering be offered for the salvation of the soul of Jane (or whoever it is that I may harbor anger for). I was worried that I hadn\'t forgiven like I thought I had since these feelings would come back. I want to forgive and as long as the intention is there, I am following God\'s desire. I need to continue to work on this. I feel so much better now, though, and simply say a prayer as well as offer up the pain and suffering for the salvation of the individual\'s soul. I like this and it is easy to do. As soon as I do this, any ill will or hurt that I have because of that individual almost instantly disappears. Not forgiving, as you pointed out, is what the devil wants us to do as then our hearts are hardened. Forgiveness releases us and is so much easier to live with! Thanks for your entry--you just reaffirmed what I\'ve been working on myself these past ten days.
In Christ\'s Love,
Michelle
You explained forgiveness extremely well!
I remember \"crying\" because I \"thought\" I had forgiven my exhusband for my divorce, only to find out out that I couldn\'t talk to him years later at my son\'s wedding.
I \"cried\" for hours. Then, my mind came up with the analogy of a \"electric fence.\" If you\'ve ever been shocked by one, you know not to ever touch it again.
However, I am \"envious\" of those that seem to have a great relationship after their divorce, BUT, maybe their divorce wasn\'t as devastating to them. So, we likewise can\'t compare our forgiveness to anyone other than Jesus (asking for the Holy Spirit in His name to help us with the scar).
I remember hearing someone say that a \"second\" makes you appreciate something in the first. Plus, I feel as though I learned from my previous -- making my second better. But, what makes my second special is that he assisted God in brining me to Christ. Thus, our bond is greater!
BEAUTIFUL
Sherie, Thanks for making me think. I do have anger alot more than I use to. You feel horrible about it to but reading what you wrote made me feel so much better. Now I can go talk to the persons that have made me feel this way and FORGIVE!!! God Bless You Sheri.....
I learned the big FORGIVE lesson when I started on a journey of not about ME but about Others! Can\'t go that road with a bunch of unforgivness as a companion. Made sure Jesus rode shotgun and \'POOF\' grudges and get evens were gone!
I want to be in that peaceful place. Away from the hurt.
Thank you for this wonderful thought Sherie. Maybe you should copy and post on board!