Skip to main content

3 Tips for the Journey to Forgiveness

By
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32

How do I do this? Maybe you are in a position where you're wondering just how you are supposed to forgive someone else especially if they do not have any remorse for their actions. Perhaps this question has crossed your mind: Am I supposed to be a doormat? I can't keep letting them do this to me in the spirit of forgiveness. You're right. Or maybe you've wondered: How can I extend forgiveness and protect myself at the same time? This is an impossibility. Forgiveness does not seem to get any further than the balloon we see pictured below and we find ourselves "stuck."

photo credit: Theodore Scott via photopin cc
Still stuck on the ground?

3 Tips for your Journey to Forgiveness

1. Remember how much you have been forgiven. If you have a personal relationship with Christ, it is always important to remember how much we have been forgiven. (Psalm 103:12) Psalm 103 is a wonderful reminder of the goodness of God and His forgiveness.

2. Release those who have wronged you to God. We see this taking place many times in the Psalms and we recognize these Psalms as imprecatory. For example, in Psalm 5 David asks God to hold the wicked guilty. David appeals to God who is perfectly just and holy to execute justice. If and when we utter such words before our Master, we, by implication, are seeking justice in regard to ourselves as well. We cannot ask for justice to be meted out in one area and not have it meted out by God in another. Releasing someone else to God's justice can be one of the most holy and humbling acts in which a follower of Christ can engage.

3. Pray for your wrongdoer(s). As we are all on this lifelong journey of forgiveness, this may be one of the most difficult things we commit to do out of obedience. We are commanded to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. (Matthew 5:43-45) Again, prayer for our wrongdoers, those who choose to persecute us, helps us to release them to God. We can trust Him to execute justice -- He has the final word!

Remembering God's forgiveness allows us to forget our bitterness and anger and releases others to God's care!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Backed Into A Corner -- Thank God

By
The capacity to respond to adversity with faith and gratitude is not limited to spiritual "superheroes." Choosing Gratitude - Nancy Leigh DeMoss Precarious Position. Many times we find ourselves in a place where we would rather not be and our desire may be to run and hide. However, running and hiding may not be viable options and are probably not what God is asking of us in the current situation. The problems and issues we will face in life vary greatly from health, to relationship/marriage, finances, to the stress of looking for a job, or maybe like Job, we might have lost everything -- family and possessions. Often, it is when we have done everything in our human power to ameliorate our situation and fail miserably that we remember God. photo credit:  cindy47452  via  photopin   cc Powerful Response. When we find ourselves in situations and recognize our only choice is to look up to God we can have victory and relief. When we take the time to thank the Fathe
Post a Comment
Read more

For Your Information

By
Dear Readers and Subscribers, I am in the middle of an extremely busy semester and finishing papers and projects this week. I just wanted to let you know that over the next two weeks the posts might be delayed but we will be on a regular schedule after the end of these two weeks. Blessings to you as we pursue the Savior in our daily walk. God Bless, Jennifer Joy
Post a Comment
Read more

Common Ground: The Road Less Traveled

By
The Presence of God.  Ruth and Naomi found themselves in very trying circumstances after each suffered the loss of a husband and the inescapable grief that accompanies death. Scripture gives us a snapshot into their lives and we get a glimpse of the strong bond of friendship that took place between Ruth and Naomi. Was it the deep sense of   grief that brought these two women together in a way they had never experienced before? Perhaps these women were drawn to each other because they knew they were “alone” in the world.  More importantly, the presence of God is evident by Ruth's response to her mother-in-law.  Ruth reminds us and reminded Naomi of God's presence. The presence of God is the bond that unites our hearts as brothers and sisters in Christ. The Road Less Traveled photo credit:  B Gilmour.  via  photopin   cc Mutual Commitment. Naomi urged Ruth to go home to her mother in Moab hoping that Ruth would find another husband. Ruth refused to leave Naom
6 comments
Read more

BG Badge

BG Badge
Bible Gateway Blogger