Many people feel as if they forgive someone, that person that hurt them=WON. People also believe that if someone does not say SORRY, they cannot forgive them. That is not how it works though. We need to get past the hurt and pain that individual caused us and move forward. We cannot control anyone else’s actions or decisions. Each person is held accountable for themselves.
Forgiveness is so hard to do. We all go through the mishaps and hurts of life. We will face a time OR many times when we are hurting because of someone else’s actions. We must let our guard down and forgive the person and let it go(release it). The freedom and peace that comes when we forgive and let it go, are empowering and freeing!
I know it is hard because I had to forgive those that have hurt me plenty of times. When you hold onto anger, frustration, bitterness, and the pain from being hurt by someone, it does not help YOU. It HURTS you. It will hurt your HEART, MIND, and PHYSICAL BODY. Why live that way? You do not have to. Make a decision to pray about it and give it over to God. Let God handle it. HE IS GOD.
The Bible says in Genesis 50:17, NKJV, “Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.”
The above verse relates to when Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery and then lied to their father that he was dead. They were jealous of Joseph. Can you reflect on how this man felt because of what his brothers did to him? They caused so much havoc in his life however, God was with him throughout every trial and protected him. I want to encourage you to read about Joseph in the Book of Genesis. We can learn so much.
Another verse in God’s word, I want to share is located in Matthew 12;31, NKJV, “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” Read it again. Even you can ask for forgiveness. If you are struggling with shame or sin, hurt, or whatever burning in your heart and eating you up. Go to Jesus. You can also read this post https://bibleandcake.com/category/inviting-jesus-into-your-life/
Anyone can hurt you. You can hurt anyone too. Make a decision today to go to God when it happens.
2 Corinthians 2:3-11, NKJV:
“And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. For to this end, I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices”.
