There has been a repeating topic that comes up when I talk to people about their walk with Christ, besides reading the bible. (You should do that too! haha!) That would be the topic of forgiveness.
“If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree—not to exaggerate—to all of you. This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. As a result, you should instead forgive and comfort him. Otherwise, he may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ, so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.” -2 Corinthians 2:5-11
Often, we as humans, have a hard time forgiving people that hurt us. Let’s face it, people have done some really hurtful things. There’s sexual, physical, and mental abuse in this world, and then on a different side of the spectrum people lie, steal, and cheat. People’s hearts can be really vile. When we forgive someone who really hurt us, it says more about our character than it ever will there’s. It is actually beneficial to your health to forgive. Don’t believe me? Check out the article below on Psychology Today!
Psychology Today-Important Facts About Forgiveness
You don’t have to get an apology to forgive someone. When I realized you didn’t, it was so freeing to know that I didn’t have to carry around the baggage of the hurt of past abuse relationships, sexual abuse, and cheating to name a few. Holding on to unforgiveness leaves a bitterness in your heart for everyone else to see and feel. The devil has a foothold when you don’t forgive the people that hurt you. It can be really difficult to forgive someone who hurt you. But, growing isn’t always a walk in the park!Just because you forgive someone once, doesn’t mean you won’t have to repeat it aloud for the next 3 months. Say you forgive them out loud, until you truly do. Your words have power & satan will do everything in his power to stop God’s plan for your life. “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.”-Proverbs 18:21 MSG
Jesus died for our forgiveness. So why wouldn’t satan try to stop something that God has provided? Being hurt and in the midst of trial is often when our obedience is being tested. When it’s hardest to forgive is when you should be forgiving. Not only does unforgivness hurt them, it hurts you.
You know the saying hurt people, hurt people? It’s true! We are called to be the light and salt of the world. So what we are called to do when someone hurts us? LOVE. Yes, I said it, love and comfort them! I know what you are thinking…Is this girl crazy!? I know it sounds crazy, but I am not asking you to do this in your own strength! If you forgive others, God forgives you. It brings them freedom and you! Double win!
Ask Holy Spirit to guide you. Ask him if you first you have any unforgivness in your heart. If a name comes to mind, say aloud that you forgive them. Keep the pattern going until their are no names left. The first time I did this, it took about 3 hours! Not joking! Pray to God asking him to have Holy Spirit teach your heart to love and forgive when someone hurts you. Realize that you aren’t fighting against the person that hurt you and that you are in a spiritual war against satan and all his little friends. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. “-Ephesians 6:12
