Forgiveness

Do you need to forgive someone or do you want forgiveness from someone?  Sometimes, we have done something to a family member or a friend that we did not intend to hurt or harm them but none the less, it did.  Sometimes family or friends can hurt us deeply, sometimes intentionally, sometimes unwittingly.  It is hard to forgive someone and even harder to forgive yourself.

The Bible addresses this on many levels.  In Matthew 18:15,16,21 Jesus tells us, "If a brother sins against you, go to him privately and confront him with his fault.  If he listens and confesses it, you have won back a brother.  But if not, then take one or two others with you and go back to him again, proving everything you say by these witnesses.   21: "Then Peter came to him and asked, "Sir, how often should I forgive a brother who sins against me?  Seven times?" 22: "No," Jesus replied, "seventy times seven!" 

  But if someone continues to sin against you, it eats you up inside if you do not forgive, it is always there within your heart placing a stone between you and the person and you and your heavenly father, who does not want you to hold hatred in your heart or are unforgiving.  So if there is no resolution after many attempts at reconciliation, love your enemies and pray for them but separate them from yourself if they are causing you to have these feelings in your heart or you feel they are causing you to sin because of it. 

Forgiving the squirrel for taking the bird house over
to escape the rain....

Luke 17:1-4  "There will always be temptations to sin," Jesus said one day to his disciples, "but woe to the man who does the tempting.  If he were thrown into the sea with a huge rock tied to his neck,  he would be far better off than facing the punishment in store for those who harm these little children's souls.  I am warning you!  Rebuke your brother if he sins, and forgive him if he is sorry.  Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him."

It is hard to forgive, I know and you have heard me say before that the reason we pray for our enemies is because what God has in store for them is much worse than you could ever wish them! 

Ephesians 4:31-32  "Stop being mean, bad-tempered and angry.  Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives.  Instead, be kind to each other , tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ."

The message is clear, forgiveness is necessary for your spiritual health.  When we attain spiritual health, we feel good health in our earthly bodies as well.  You can begin by asking God to forgive your ill feelings for this or that person.  Then at least make an attempt to make things right between you.  Remember, God is with you through all of this and together there is nothing you cannot do with His help.

This post was created as a result of a good friend asking me to do one on forgiveness.  I hope this has been a blessing to you dear friend.  If you have a request, just ask in comments and I will do my best to provide an answer.  Have a blessed and forgiving day!

♥KERRIE♥

My Christian heart to yours...