The Art of Forgiveness

I did not realize the amount of unforgiveness that I had for a particular individual from my past until recently. I believe that the memory of the hurt that this person caused me came to my attention so that I could deal with it. I have to be free. I can’t carry old weights or old desires. The situation arouse in such a messy way, that I believe that it was caused to make me lose focus. It did. I cried like I did when that person was in my life. I did not forgive them. A part of me holds both unforgiveness and love. We have to look at the bigger picture of what God wants to do through us and where He wants to take us. The beauty of God is that He does not want for us to operate in hurt. He wants every area in our lives to be clean and fully devoted to him.

God used Paul in such a mighty way, but he was a person that had hurt people. Paul witnessed a man murdered and approved of it. Paul desired to persecute the church. He was probably very scary and intimidating to Christians because of who He was, but God. God changed Paul’s heart and he changed his focus. Paul became a new creature through Christ, but what about the people that he had hurt? God decided to use Paul and those hurt people had to accept it and forgive him.

There is a call on every life in the world to be saved. Yes, even the people that hurt you. Forgiveness is for our peace. I can’t walk in salvation while having a closet of hatred designed for the people that hurt me. The people that Paul hurt had to forgive him not only for their own peace, but so that they would not resent God for showing him grace. God shows grace. He showed me grace. I’m sure that He showed you grace, so why can’t He show the people that hurt us grace also.

There are things that I have done and said to people that they never got a verbal apology for, but I told God that I was sorry. I meant it when I said I was sorry to Him and I pray that those people that I have hurt forgive me also. I have to accept that I may never receive an apology for the hurt that I have experienced, but they may one day apologize to God. We have got to forgive people. We have to be intentional in praying for the souls of people that have stomped on our hearts because the hurt gave us (me) an opportunity to see God. Hurt drove me to church. In church I see God and how He heals. God dried my tears. Do I still hurt? Yes. But I also desire to forgive. This is a process of release for me because it is pushing me forward. I can’t live in a hurt state. I don’t want to. God has too much planed for me.

Know that God will attack every area that is not like Him in our lives. We don’t see the future. We don’t see what God has in store for us in totality and what it will take for us to get there.

I pray for every person that is experiencing hurt or hatred in any capacity toward a person or situation. If you will accept my apology on their behalf; I am sorry. I am sorry for your tears, I am sorry for your sleepless nights, and I personally ask God to give you peace. God loves you so much and He wants to both heal and fill every void in your life. Let go of the pain that was caused to you. Receive the peace, joy and love of our Father God, In Jesus name.

Recommended Reading: Luke 7:41-43; Genesis 37, 39-45 (Look at Genesis from the perspective of forgiveness and the fruits of what it can produce. Joseph could have lived in Egypt for 13 years with hatred in his heart, but instead he allowed God to use, lead, and elevate him…… All things are working together for your good!!!!)

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