Has someone ever hurt you or done you wrong? When you think about it, do you feel pain, anger, or resentment?
It may be something someone did recently or in your past – or maybe it was something they should have done and didn’t, filling you with disappointment or despair. Maybe someone betrayed you – someone you knew and trusted, or maybe someone you didn’t even know.
Most of us have been hurt. It’s part of life.
But I have some news for you today. It’s not okay to harbor hurt. Yes, the pain is real…but harboring hurt is the same as unforgiveness. And forgiveness is the only way you can be free from the pain!
It's Too Hard on You
Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other guy to die.
And worse yet, Matthew 6:14, 15 says, If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Wow. Read that again. That's huge! I don't know about you, but I don't ever want to be outside the forgiveness of God. I want Him to forgive me every day! But He cannot forgive me if I won't forgive anyone else. It's always our choice.
It sounds like God has a "no tolerance" level for unforgiveness, doesn't it? But you know why? Because He knows that unforgiveness wreaks havoc on you.
Romans 12:19 says, Vengence is mine saith the Lord, because it's too hard on humans. Some of the results of unforgiveness can include sickness, fear, torment and lack. It's outside of God's blessings. Our only freedom lies in forgiveness.
How To Start Over
Forgiveness is more powerful than we know. Think of it this way: Forgiveness is how your relationship started with God.
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses (Colossians 2:13).
Forgiveness is what turned a sinful, lost person into a brand new creature. (2 Cor. 5:17) Forgiveness is how God starts things new. Do you need a new start? A "do over"? Forgiveness is the way.
Forgiveness is Not Condoning
Usually, every time I teach on forgiveness, someone comes up to me afterwards and says, “But you don’t know what they did to me!” No, I don’t know. And please understand, I’m not denying the pain or unfairness of what happened to you – not at all.
I’m trying to tell you that the only way for you to live free from what they did to you and to keep your “blessing pipe” from getting clogged is to forgive.
Here are a few things to remember:
Forgiveness is not condoning what someone did, or saying what happened was right. It’s simply a choice to obey God and go free.
We don’t forgive someone because they deserve it. They may never say they’re sorry, or even admit wrong doing. We forgive to obey God’s Word and to keep our blessing pipe clear.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean “they’ll get away with it.” Galatians 6:7 says, Whatsoever a man sows that will he also reap. Leave it up to God.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean you have to trust the person again, or even spend a lot of time with them. You just have to know that your heart is right.
When someone does you wrong, your flesh wants to cry out, “Someone has to pay!” Well….Someone did. He has forgiven you much – forgive others the same way (Matthew 18:21-35).
Supernatural Help
Forgiveness is not always something you can do on your own. Often, you need supernatural help. It takes faith to forgive! And where do you get faith? From the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
If forgiveness has been hard for you, I encourage you to get into the Word as never before. Bathe your spirit in what God has to say about it. I’ve included a list of scriptures for you below.
As you read, speak, and meditate on forgiveness every day, expect the Word to work and get ready to be free!
(For more about forgiveness, check out this month's podcast "What's Hindering My Blessing")
Scriptures
Matthew 6:12
Matthew 18:21
Mark 11:25
Luke 6:31-37
Luke 23:34
John 13:34, 35
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 amp
Ephesians 4:32
Colossians 2:13
Colossians 3:12, 13
Matthew 5:43, 44 / 1 Peter 3:9
