“Forgive and Be Healed” Pt 2 of 2:
Depending on the severity of the offense, forgiving someone who committed a wrong is not easy. In some cases, it’s easier to appear we can tolerate the presence of someone we don’t want to be around than it is to forgive. Forgiveness requires we let go of the hurt caused by another, releasing them from their offense. in many cases this is a difficult thing to do even when we know it’s the right thing to do.
Forgiving others is not only right, but it’s both, a choice and a process. Like being physically injured, the body requires time to heal before returning to normal strength. Of course, some offenses are major, but I believe today’s society is being ripped apart because of petty things. People get upset over what someone said or did and if time were taken to analyze why they did what they did, we might understand their logic. The unwillingness to forgive and let go is the prison that holds us hostage, not the person who hurt us.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Forgive others as Christ has forgiven you.” A question is, “I asked for their forgiveness, but they rejected me, what am I supposed to do?” You ask God to help you love that person. Pray earnestly for them asking the Lord to bless allowing them to see your sincerity. They might come around and may not. But speak to them when they are in your presence, respect their space, and treat them with kindness. You can only control what you do and through the power of the Holy Spirit you choose follow His lead and do the next right thing.
When a severe hurt has taken place, forgiving the offender can be difficult. You’ll need the Lord’s help at working through a series of emotions. There will times when you feel you can forgive, but upon seeing the person, anger within begins to stir again. The Lord told Joshua, “Be strong, be of good courage, for I the Lord will be with you.” Often when forgiveness is given Satan jumps in convincing us we didn’t have to do it. Or we begin thinking about the situation bringing back the emotional and mental pain.
The truth is, after making the initial step of seeking forgiveness, ask the Lord to help and remind yourself, I forgave them this morning. I forgive them again this afternoon. Every time the situation comes to mind say, “I forgive them. I’m praying for them. I want the best things in life for them. Lord, please help me to forgive just as you forgave me of all my wrongs.” Forgiving over and over is the answer Jesus gave Peter when asked, “How many times must I forgive – seven?” The Lord said, “No, seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).
This is not to be a literal number, but a call to a lifestyle of forgiveness. You forgive today, tomorrow, and the next day and next week and the week after – until when you see or hear the persons’ voice, you might remember the offense, but you’ve been healed. The pain and anger are no longer there. Don’t let Satan get a foothold that could lead to destroying your own life mentally and emotionally. God is bigger than that and can help you. A closing thought, forgiving others is one thing, some of us need to work on forgiving ourselves. Follow the same steps listed above. God is for you, not against you. His desire is that you have a pure heart and a clear mind.
Pastor Carnes
