Forgiveness Nuggets 7
When hurts are so ingrained in the heart and spirit that they express themselves in bitter attitudes toward life, forgiveness is the toughest to accomplish, and release can seldom be achieved in one session of prayer. Forgiveness has to be worked at for a long time, with many prayers, in order to dislodge ingrained feelings and wash them away.
- Does remembering a particular hurtful event trigger a strong emotional reaction?
It is not true that time heals all.
Heb 12:15 (NIV)
15See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
You may think you have forgiven and forgotten. But if memories stir up another round of pain, it may be that you have merely worked hard at forgetting and forgiveness has not become complete.
When forgiveness is complete, the memory of the event will no longer cause the pain.
- Does the stress of remembering hurtful events trigger physical reactions or discomfort?
- Does the painful experience bring to mind anything for which God can be praised?
Prov 19:3 (NIV)
3 A man's own folly ruins his life,
yet his heart rages against the LORD.
If forgiveness is complete, we will direct no blame toward God for what has happened to us.
If forgiveness is complete, our hearts will be open toward God and toward others.
If forgiveness is complete, there will be no negative feelings toward the offender.
Even if there is no reconciliation, there can still be total forgiveness. This may apply to the forgiveness of those who are no longer alive, or if there has been any sort of abuse. This forgiveness must happen in the heart, and when it does, peace emerges—with or without a complete restoration in the relationship.
- Can the offending party be thought of with a sincere wish that good things will happen in his or her life?
Forgiveness holds no grudges and wishes no penalties of retribution.
1Cor 13:4-6 (NIV)
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Forgiveness means letting go of grudges and bitternesses, moving on without dragging baggage from the past.
Unforgiveness is a poison. It doesn’t produce life. It brings death. Bless the ones who persecute you. Pray for them.
Rom 12:14 (NIV)
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
- Do you have a complete sense that forgiveness really has been accomplished?
- Is forgiveness producing positive results?
Prayer:
(Ask God to show you your own heart and if there is any bitterness toward anyone you have already forgiven and/or need to forgive. Spend a few moments talking to him and asking Him to show you if there is any unforgiveness in your heart. If so, pray and ask God for His help.)
Lorilie Nelson
Choosing Forgiveness
John & Paula Sandford and Norm Bowman
Copyright © 1996
Clear Stream, Inc. Publishing
Box 122128, Arlington, Texas 76012
Total Forgiveness
R.T. Kendall
Copyright © 2002
Published by Charisma House
A Strang Company
600 Rinehart Road
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
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