This week we embark upon a resolution to release others from the prison of our hurt and anger.
Forgiveness – for some this brings a flood of bad memories. For others, it brings freedom and liberation! Forgiveness for some can be a very difficult action. It means releasing the sins of others that have hurt us. It means having to “let go” of what we have been harboring for years. It means stepping out of something that has become a “normal” in our life, into something of the unknown.
For some, “letting go” means fear. “This is all I have known. What will life be like without it?” It means, not having the emptiness, anger, bitterness, and hatred, on the inside anymore. These are things that some have come to adopt into their lives and have held them close inside their hearts for many many years. It means stepping out of something that has become “comfortable” to them. Something they have learned to live with. Something that sleeps, eats, watches television, plays, works and travels with them, everywhere they go. It’s like the shadow that has been following them …. For all these years!
For some, forgiveness means the wrong was made right. What I mean by this, is that they fear by forgiving someone who has wronged them, it’s like saying what they have done to them is okay now. No. That is not what forgiveness is, at all. Hurt is not okay; whether it’s emotional, physical, or mental. Forgiveness does not grant freedom to the sin….it grants freedom to the one who was sinned upon. Do you know what I mean by that? I mean forgiveness is for YOUR benefit….in so many different ways.
Forgiveness means freedom for YOU!! It means stepping out of those prison walls that have held you captive all these years. Whether the sin committed was towards you, or you yourself committed the sin….forgiveness awaits you! And I can’t wait for you to read this chapter this week and find out what God has waiting just for YOU!! “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed”!!
Forgiveness IS a beautiful thing!
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Your Assignment:
This weeks reading assignment can by found by clicking HERE
Let’s pray:
Father, I pray for each and every woman that is reading this blog and this chapter this week. I pray Lord that You will open their ears and their eyes Lord to what You have for them! Lord, I pray that the words of this book will jump off the pages for them, and show them just how liberating Your true forgiveness really is! Lord, walk alongside each one of them; talk to them; show them Lord what harboring unforgiveness is doing to them, not only spiritually, but physically and emotionally, as well. Lord, I pray for those who are harboring unforgiveness this week, that this will be their week that the chains of bondage will be released, and the prison doors will swing wide open, and they will be able to walk in total freedom, in Your Precious Name, Lord. For whom You set free Lord, is free indeed!! AMEN!!
We’ll see you tomorrow….right here, same time, same place! Enjoy the rest of your day!
Living Intentionally to Forgive and Accept Forgiveness,
Christi,
Very well said. What you wrote is so true and I can relate to today's message. This week is going to be my tough week as well. I still have umforgiveness toward myself and my dad. Sad thing is I cannot talk to my dad about it because for some odd reason he conviently forgot what he did.
Take it to Jesus Michelle, first. God knows what happened, and He will walk you through this…hand in hand!!!
I remember when I stepped out and trusted Jesus believing if I forgave I would still be okay. It was amazing. There was so much freedom, a weight lifted and I didn't implode. I remember one day thinking what a different perspective I had on life. When someone I know is rooted in unforgiving I tell them about the day I forgive and how not forgiving allowed that someone to continue to haver power over me. I share that forgiveness started when Jesus died and He loved us so much that He gave his all. Are you going to only get half your fill by not forgiving or are you going to reach your maximum benefit of serving God by forgiving and moving on – you chose.
Great advice Anne!!
Forgiveness took action first, didn't it Anne. It took you decided and choosing to forgive first, and then stepping out in faith to trust the Lord to help you walk in that forgiveness. Jesus is always faithful to help us do all things in Him, or He would never tell us that we CAN do ALL things THROUGH Him!!
Forgiveness is a gift u give yourself. That being said, I still struggle with it. Love this post. Looking forward to the new insights this week will bring, even though I know it will be a tough one for me. But God's got me in His palm!
Forgiveness is a gift we should always treasure. It is the gift that we were given when Jesus took our sins to the cross for us, and it should be something that we give others because He gave it first to us. This is going to be a LIFE-CHANGING week in this study!!!