forgive

for·give /fərˈɡiv/

verb

stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake.

I think one of the most important yet sometimes the hardest thing to do when you been hurt or violated is to forgive. I don’t think I truly realized until yesterday that I could still possibly be harboring unforgiveness towards the person who molested me. I think It’s been easy to convince myself I had forgiven because I don’t see them. Yesterday I had the privilege of talking to a young lady who was also molested and she was sharing with me how one of the people who molested her asked for her forgiveness. It instantly made me think and question myself “How would I feel if the person who violated me asked for my forgiveness? It was like I instantly thought about how I never want to see him again, how I never want him in my presence. It then hit me that I’m still giving him power over me. Being a minister of the Gospel I know how important forgiveness is. The Bible even tell us in Matthew 6:14-15 if we forgive others of their wrong doing, God will In turn forgive us of our wrong doings, but if we don’t forgive them neither will God forgive us. Immediately I thought, I refuse to give him that power over me. To forgive him takes the power from Him to control how I feel. It’s not easy to forgive, we have to be willing to give the situation over to God to handle. He can handle the situation a lot better than me. When we forgive we take control of our happiness back. So my prayer to God is Father strengthen me and give me heart to forgive those who I feel are undeserving even as you’ve forgiven me when I was undeserving of your forgiveness. I guess to put it more plainly think of all the wrong you’ve done through out your life that you’ve asked God to forgive you for. Now imagine Him saying he can’t forgive you cause you want forgive the person that did you wrong. Is it worth it to give the person that type of power?

I know from experience "sorry" does not erase the pain but it does close the door and allow us to move forward. Unforgiveness keeps you dwelling in the past, it hinders you. Forgiveness releases you and allow you to move forward. One thing I learned from my experience was humility. Because pride does not allow you to forgive someone who you feel have done you wrong. It was in my time of harboring this bitterness that the danger of going to hell became so real to me. I refuse to allow anyone to take me to hell cause I'm to stubborn or prideful to forgive. I need God to forgive me and wipe my slate clean so I must be willing to forgive.

Thought: Forgiveness is Freedom