How can I forgive ______ for doing _________ to me? 🤷♀️
Three easy steps to forgiveness:
1. Do unto others… forgive others as much as you wish to be forgiven for your transgression/debts. (Matt. 7:12) We all deserve death for our own sins, (Rom. 1:32) but it was Jesus Christ who forgave us, who made it possible to live, so that we may live with Him. Luke said we should PRACTICE forgiveness. (Luke 6:38) I do this while driving! Where can you practice forgiveness?
2. They know not what they do (Luke 23:34) Which also means the people who hurt you did not know what they were doing either. People are deceived by the world to think evil is good and when they are tempted, they fail. How can we empathize with our transgressors? How can we know what their mind was telling them? The truth is, when we partake in evil against another, any evil, we are deceived! How can you practice understanding what may have happened to your transgressor to cause him/her to sin against you, in order for you to more easily forgive them? Perhaps understanding more about why people sin will help. The bible has many illustrations of people sinning against others and there are many present-day stories, articles and examples to research to gain understanding.
3. Forgive and forget. When we repent of sin, our Father in Heaven forgives us, in fact He states again and again (Isa. 43:25; Heb. 10:17; Acts 3:19; Heb. 8:12) that He FORGETS our sin. The last step is for us to do as our father does and forgive AND forget the transgressions. Yes, FORGET! When we choose to forget, the hurt, anger, sadness and shame cannot manifest in our mind. It will not re-enter and re-injure our hearts. God knows what happened. He is our vengeance, our redeemer, our restorer. Give the burden to Him and allow yourself to forgive and forget the sin. When we do – we choose Him instead of sin and gain our freedom.
The enemy wants you to never forgive and never forget. It’s how he keeps a foothold on your life (Eph. 4:27). When you decide to let go of hurtful moments in your life, you choose to heal your heart of it as well. When you forgive, forget, and give it to God, you are choosing to let go of resentment, bitterness, revenge, hatred, and a embittered heart.
So now it is up to you. Can you practice forgiveness now? Are there grievances in your heart you want to let go of now? Forgiving is giving, so break chains today – and watch your blessings of peace, joy and love be given to you ten times what you had lost. 🕊
You are loved! ❤️
