Hello everyone!
Forgiveness, another sticky subject. Forgiveness is not always easy and sometimes we feel like the other person does not deserve it. Forgiveness can be very difficult if the wrong against us is very great.
I've had to forgive alot of things over the past few years. I've had to forgive a person who is not here to accept my forgiveness, my late husband. How does one do that, you might ask? You write things down and you keep writing them down, tearing them up and giving them to God, until you know you are done. I've had to say "I forgive you" out loud multiple times, even though he does not hear my words. I've done this for me, not for him. He is with Jesus and all is forgiven anyway.
Forgiveness is a choice and it's a choice I'd rather make. Bitterness is the alternative. Bitterness eats you up from the inside out. It harms you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Bitterness can kill you. Bitterness steals all of your happiness and your joy. Bitterness will destroy your relationships. Is it worth it for you to hold on to that hurt?
Yes I know that what may have been done to you is awful, believe me I do. You may have been abused like me or worse. I want to tell you if you do not forgive that person for that awful wrong, they will continue to have control over you, even if you are no longer around them. Do you want someone who hurt you say 20 years ago or even 1 year ago to have control over you your entire life? I don't and I don't believe you do either.
This won't be an easy choice for anyone but it is the best choice. There will be times you may even have to forgive someone for something every day - I sure did. You should have seen my list! Choosing to forgive is a hard choice and a process but I assure you, it is better than bitterness.
Choose forgiveness today and by doing so you choose the best life possible for yourself and your loved ones. In choosing forgiveness, you choose happiness and joy and you choose a healthy life.
I will close with this verse for you to contemplate and as always look these things up for yourselves:
Colossians 3:13 NIV
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Until next time,
Elizabeth