Forgiveness feels great - as long as we’re the beneficiaries. We like being forgiven, but it’s not very fun when you have to ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness is our decision to accept God’s grace to let go of the hurt due to sins committed against us and to express this by acts of mercy and love toward the offender. Pope John Paul II said, “Forgiveness is... the key held in our own hand to our prison cell.”
I was hurt by my best friend at a young age and it took me years to get over. I was very guarded toward females. If we don’t forgive someone, we give the devil a chance to work on us. We cannot be free of the hurt if we harbor bitterness. Carrying around bitterness, hatred, and anger can contaminate every aspect of your life.
Years later I had to revisit the hurt and forgive. Forgiveness does not mean we accept other's actions, it means we know God is the ultimate judge, not us. Forgiving allows our spirits to heal and be rid of the bitterness. Giving up resentment protects our health - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Once I forgave I was able to see all of the good that God brought from that situation. Being hurt at that age brought me to wanting to work with teens and college age girls. God used my hurt to help others, wasting nothing I went through. Romans 8: 28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” When we are in tune with God and study His word, we can be sure He will guide us in the right direction.
"Forgiveness does not change the past but does enlarge the future!"
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