Forgiveness: Final Thoughts
Monday, July 06, 2009
First, thanking God for laying upon my heart to write My Journey to Forgiveness. Second, to my friends (seen and unseen) for your support and love. I say this from my heart:
God bless, I love you and thank-you.
The road to forgiveness is not an easy road to travel. Forgiveness can not happen overnight. It is a process which takes obedience, time and effort. It takes FAITH and TRUST in God. It takes PATIENCE. It takes a willingness to allow God to cleanse your heart, mind and soul.
You have to remember all the hurt, pain, bitterness and anger did not manifest within your heart overnight. It took quite sometime for these emotions to grow inside of your heart. Therefore, it will take sometime for these emotions to be removed from your heart.
You can not remove these emotions on your own. You can try as hard as you want to remove these emotions, but you will fail. It is only through the strength, power, grace and mercy of Almighty God who can truly help you overcome and conquer these emotions.
God's word says,
"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
We, as God's children, must humbles ourselves, seek, pray and repent of our sins. Hatred, anger and bitterness are sins against God. We have to ask Him to forgive us. We have to ask Him to forgive the one who hurt us.
Jesus said these words on the Cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Jesus was beaten, tortured, spit upon and cursed, yet He ask the Father to forgive them. We must forgive people who have wronged us. Jesus forgave us. God forgave us. We have to forgive the ones who hurt us.
Is this easy to do? No, because we want to hold on to the pain, bitterness, anger and hate. We do not want to let it go. It is only when we reach rock bottom that we reach out to God and ask HIM to help us.
He wants US to come to HIM. He wants the WORDS to come out of OUR mouth. He wants US to CONFESS to HIM what happened.
Then, He will begin the healing process.
He will begin to take away the pain, hurt, hatred, anger and bitterness from your heart. He will begin to create "a new heart within you". This process takes a long time. You must be patient. You must pray. You must be obedient to God's word. You must trust that God will remove all the ugliness within you. You must have faith that in time you will forgive.
Throughout your life, you will have to forgive many, many times. But, this is when you reflect back on the times which God helped you to forgive. God showed you how to forgive. God freed you from the pain, bitterness, anger and hurt. God gave you the victory. He gave you control back over your life.
What about the person who hurt you? You have to pray for them. God tells us in Luke 6:28, "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you". Pray and ask God to forgive them. Pray and ask God to change them.
God knows what the person did to you. God is the only one who can take care of this person. Revenge is not ours, it is Gods. His word says,
"It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them." (Deut. 32:35)
"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord". (Romans 12:19)
God is telling us not to seek revenge on the person. We are to turn them over to Him and let Him deal with it. I love the saying, "Let Go and Let God". Few words, but oh so powerful!
My friends, I hope and pray that my testimony has helped you realize, "that you are not alone". I have been hurt many, many times.I know I will go through it again, but I know without a doubt I will make it through with God.
I pray that if you have anger, pain, hurt and bitterness within your heart, you will ask God to HEAL you.
I pray that you are on the ROAD TO FREEDOM.
I pray that you receive the VICTORY.
God bless and keep you all.
Grace and Peace
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13 Reader Thoughts:
It's amazing, yet so simple, that when we are struggling, we're not supposed to go through it alone. He wants us to ask for help. A faith not tested is stagnant. James 1:2-4 "Count it all joy..." I'll leave the rest for you to read!
A great read about judgement and forgiveness is "The Shack" by Wm. Young. While some of the theology is sketchy, there are lessons that will change you. However, if you strongly believe in organized religion, you'll have to gloss over his anti-organized religion statements.
Hi Valerie! What a great series. I have to admit, forgiveness isn't the easiest thing for me to do. But when I follow His nudging and remember that I didn't 'deserve' forgiveness either, it helps. Then when I allow Him to work the forgiveness through me, I'm able to do it. But it never is easy for me. Blessings, my friend!
You are a very wise woman, bless you.
Aww Valerie,
Forgiveness is often hard, yet once released your spirit soars! I know I always turn my cheek, and let it go. It was hard for me in the beginning...becoming easier each time =)
I LOVE YOU SISTER!
I loved this series - your testimony!! What you wrote at the end says it all..."I have been hurt many, many times.I know I will go through it again, but I know without a doubt I will make it through with God." Amen, my friend! Only with God!
Hi Valerie my friend!
This has been the greatest story of Inspiration and Forgiveness I have ever read. I always praise the Lord to hear testimonies like these. It encourages me to continue. It makes me believe that all things are possible. All pains, all hurts everything can be taken cared of by God our comforter and our true model of forgiveness. Let us never forget that we too have been forgiven even though we’re unworthy, what right do we have not to forgive those who had trespassed against us.
Keep the fire burning my friend. Keep blessing other people! May the good Lord bless you and your whole family. I pray for your boyfriend, may he get saved through the mighty name of Jesus.
Angi, bless you my friend for commenting.
Much love to you! Count it all joy my friend! Count it all joy!
Blessings!
Lauryn, you are so right, forgiveness is not an easy act, holding on is far more easier for us. Keep trusting in God to help you through each and every trial you go through. He will always be there to help.
God bless and thank you for opening up your heart to me my friend!
Love you!
Tami! AMEN! AMEN! God is truly worthy to be praised! AMEN! Thank you Jesus!!!!
Love you!
Denise, bless you my friend. Bless you.
Thank you.
Lori, it is through trials, suffering and pain that the words, "But God" become a reality. But God is the only one who saw me through! AMEN!
Love you.
Mike, what a wonderful blessing it is for me to have you as a friend. Your faith inspires me as well. I am truly grateful for you my friend. Truly grateful.
God bless!
Thank you!
Your blog is so inspiring and touches many with a great blessing. Thank you for sharing your heart with us, my dear friend!
Much love to you,
Connie
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