I've had my fair share of hurt and betrayal but one thing I've learned and I feel worth sharing
today is this...THERE IS POWER IN FORGIVENESS! For the past few weeks I've been preaching a series at our church entitled "The power of forgiveness". Jesus speaks on forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35 and what He states is clear...we are to forgive seventy times seven. Forgiving someone sets you free and gives you the ability to let IT go. Knowing this truth about forgiveness is a bit much for the flesh to handle because the flesh does not desire to forgive. If we're honest, our flesh wants those who've hurt or betrayed us to pay for what they've done. But the truth of the matter is while you have suffered because of what was done to you, the one who did it is indeed suffering too. Our flesh wants to see them get what's coming to them, but the Spirit of God on the inside of us, works to keep our hearts in check and sounds all the alarms we need to hear when we must forgive. Here are a few things as you work to forgive:
Forgiveness is a gift. We have received this gift from God and He expects us to give the gift of forgiveness to others.
Forgiveness is for you. You are not only setting them free by forgiving them, but you're setting yourself free. You are freeing yourself from anger, strife, misery, stress and anxiety. There's a release for you when you forgive because you have let go, and what happened to you no longer has control of you.
Forgiveness is a Believer's requirement. How can we expect to see God and not forgive? Un-forgiveness, if not dealt with, will take root in the heart and become a fester into bitterness, opening a door for the enemy which only leads to sin, and sin separates us from God and leads to death. Read Hebrews 12:14-15.
Forgiveness is a heart issue. It is something that must be done from the heart. The issue of sin and the need for righteousness all begins in the heart. (Read Proverbs 23:7) We can speak "I forgive" until we're blue in the face, but until our hearts have truly decided to forgive, then we're not free and I don't know about you, but I want to live in freedom and I don't want to be bound by un-forgiveness.
Love is the foundation for forgiveness. We forgive first of all because we love God. It is our love for God and our desire to serve Him and worship Him in Spirit and in truth that we work to forgive.
The key to forgiveness is an open heart. A heart that is open to extending forgiveness is a heart that God can work with and allows Him the opportunity to mend you.
Be encouraged. It's time to let it go. Letting it go may not be instantaneous for you but opening your heart to receive God's help with can happen right now in this instant. There's power in forgiveness.
Blessings and Love,
Wandra
I’m working on this! Thank you for the reminder and uplifts! Love it