"...and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us..."--Matthew 6:12(NLT)
In my early 20s, I had a very traumatic experience that left me angry at the person who I felt sinned against me. Generally, I am a positive, kind person; however the anger and disdain I felt toward this person was beginning to alter me. I was becoming more and more downcast. Part of the reason I was so angry is that I wanted an apology for the way I had been treated. I had to come to a place of acceptance that the apology I so desperately wanted (and rightfully so) may never come.
I had to run to God! I knew that if He did not intervene in my heart, the outcome would not be good. I asked God to help me forgive this person. I did not necessarily "feel" forgiveness when I prayed this prayer. But, forgiveness is not a feeling, it is a decision. I was making decision to be free--free of the prison I had created in my mind and in my heart based on the way I had been treated.
I also asked the Lord to forgive me of walking in unforgiveness. Who was I to be so full of resentment and contempt when Christ had forgiven me? Unforgiveness is no playground. It is a dark place and festering with spiritual vermin that want a place in our soul. It is also a breeding ground for emotional turmoil, physical illness, and toxic relationships.
Now, 20 years later, I can say with complete confidence and conviction that this principle works! God is faithful and true to his word. When we release our offenses to him, he brings healing. He binds up the broken hearted and heals all of their wounds
(Psalm 147:3). When we allow God to begin a work in our heart, he will complete and perfect it (Psalm 138:8). Just as a surgeon does not leave a patient on the operating table until the surgery is finished, so God does not leave us "open". He will close up the wound, if we stay on the table.
If you are walking in unforgiveness, or if you have an aught against someone because you are waiting for an apology that may never come, you are living beneath your privilege as a citizen of the Kingdom of God. Christ came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). Do not let unforgiveness imprison you. Make a decision to forgive. And as my pastor's wife, Sis. Alissa, would say, "Faith it! Not 'fake it', but 'faith it'". As we trust God to heal the wounds of our soul, by faith, we will begin to experience total forgiveness.
For more information, see the article "Bitterness, Offenses, and Unforgiveness"
If you would like prayer, please email: lauri@abrokenheartgps.org or call 1(866)460-8976. I would be happy to pray with you!
In my early 20s, I had a very traumatic experience that left me angry at the person who I felt sinned against me. Generally, I am a positive, kind person; however the anger and disdain I felt toward this person was beginning to alter me. I was becoming more and more downcast. Part of the reason I was so angry is that I wanted an apology for the way I had been treated. I had to come to a place of acceptance that the apology I so desperately wanted (and rightfully so) may never come.
I had to run to God! I knew that if He did not intervene in my heart, the outcome would not be good. I asked God to help me forgive this person. I did not necessarily "feel" forgiveness when I prayed this prayer. But, forgiveness is not a feeling, it is a decision. I was making decision to be free--free of the prison I had created in my mind and in my heart based on the way I had been treated.
I also asked the Lord to forgive me of walking in unforgiveness. Who was I to be so full of resentment and contempt when Christ had forgiven me? Unforgiveness is no playground. It is a dark place and festering with spiritual vermin that want a place in our soul. It is also a breeding ground for emotional turmoil, physical illness, and toxic relationships.
Now, 20 years later, I can say with complete confidence and conviction that this principle works! God is faithful and true to his word. When we release our offenses to him, he brings healing. He binds up the broken hearted and heals all of their wounds
(Psalm 147:3). When we allow God to begin a work in our heart, he will complete and perfect it (Psalm 138:8). Just as a surgeon does not leave a patient on the operating table until the surgery is finished, so God does not leave us "open". He will close up the wound, if we stay on the table.
If you are walking in unforgiveness, or if you have an aught against someone because you are waiting for an apology that may never come, you are living beneath your privilege as a citizen of the Kingdom of God. Christ came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). Do not let unforgiveness imprison you. Make a decision to forgive. And as my pastor's wife, Sis. Alissa, would say, "Faith it! Not 'fake it', but 'faith it'". As we trust God to heal the wounds of our soul, by faith, we will begin to experience total forgiveness.
For more information, see the article "Bitterness, Offenses, and Unforgiveness"
If you would like prayer, please email: lauri@abrokenheartgps.org or call 1(866)460-8976. I would be happy to pray with you!
