"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." -Jesus
Imagine
this:
You've been beaten worse than an animal, spat on, nailed to a tree,
pierced in your sides, given vinegar to drink, ridiculed with a crown of thorns
and you're a King, lied on and found faultless yet you ask your daddy to
forgive the guilty!
Does that illustrate to you the importance of
forgiveness? When we offer forgiveness, we are retaining power over ourselves
instead of relinquishing it to someone else. We are preserving our health and
peace of mind. IF (a big if at that) Jesus did not forgive those who crucified
Him, He would not have risen from the grave three days later. Can you begin to
imagine where this world would be if He had not? I shiver to think of it. It's
unimaginable for this finite mind. I shudder in afterthoughts! Thank you, Jesus
for being who You are!
If we hold malice in our hearts against anyone for
any reason, we are not deserving of our Father's forgiveness. Remember the first
and yet second commandment? How can you say you love God and hate your brother?
When we do not forgive one another, we foster hatred.
I know of someone
who forgot her husband was abusive (according to her daughter.) The daughter
couldn't understand how her Mother could forget something so horrendous. I
offered it was the work of the Lord protecting her so that she would not harbor
hatred and non forgiveness for her dad. (They have been divorced for several
decades now.)
This was shared because we do not always have to "forgive
and forget" as we may need the memory to serve as a lesson learned should another
situation similiar to what was endured occurs. But we can remember, like
Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, the sting of death has been removed; the
sting of the incident is no longer there because of forgiveness.
Try
forgiving everyone today. Even if you must write them a letter to vent yet never
mail it, you can live free from a painful past and eventually, the aroma of
peace and the fragrance of joy will surround you. It's so worth it than to miss
out on eternity.
My sins have been forgiven (and so have yours) and I
have forgiven others. I forgive anyone else in advance of an offense. It's
liberating!
As a Ministry and Dentistry Marketing Consultant, Avis positions their ministries and practices for growth. She is a Certified Seminar Leader, Action Coach, Trainer and Inspirational Speaker. As an entrepreneur, Avis is the founder of My Favorite Ministries and GeoVi's Home for New Life, a 501(c) 3 non-profit, faith-based residential home for pregnant teens. She respectfully acknowledges her deceased parents as role models, and the hero and heroine in her life. Avis invites you to read her blog.
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You've done a fabulous job conveying the importance of forgiveness. I have often harbored feelings far too long about things I should have let go of. And in truth, I was the one suffering - by my own hands.
Once we forgive...that person stops having a hold on our lives. It is liberating.
Roschelle, thank you for reading and your comments on this article. I understand what you are saying. It's those 'feelings' that let us know the wound has not healed and the feelings are not pure. I feel many people are terminally ill because they have refused to forgive another. I pray for them. Thanks again! :) Respond to this comment
Hi Avis, Amen and Amen, Sistah!!!! Thank you, Lord Jesus for taking me in and giving me new life--without Yu, I would still be dead in my sins with no peace in my heart!!
Thanks Avis, for sharing this amazing truth. Love you much!
Hi Teresa, Amen to that! Thanks for reading and blessing me with your praise. Returning my love, my Sistah! Respond to this comment
» left by sue from nj (44 days 11 hours ago.)
hi avis,
a beautiful story as always. i'll have to put this on hold for a while. abuse is very hard to forgive, mental abuse harder yet, i will ask God to allow me to see the route to forgiveness, however, i wouldn't be surprised if he made an exception:)
Thank you, Sue. Asking God to allow you to see the route to forgiveness is the first step. If you are sincere, I know He will answer your request. I know it. Your comments are always warmly received. My very best to you, always.
Thank you so very much for your comments and blessings! May you be blessed as well. Respond to this comment
» left by Michelle Mackin (39 days 22 hours ago.)
AMEN! Avis what a beautiful picture of forgiveness. I think if I had held on to all the anger and never forgace like I once had, I would have died from eternal bleeding. Thank you for the article. Today it is much easier to pray for someone then to hold on to the anger or hurt.
Michelle, I am thankful you 'came to yourself' in Christ to let go of something that you "would have died from eternal bleeding." You understand and today can "pray for someone than to hold on to anger or hurt." Your statements are precisely what this article wanted to convey. Thank you for sharing your personal experience. It's a lovely testimony. Thank you for reading and sharing. Be blessed! Respond to this comment
Hi Avis, I too am very thankful that I came to Christ. It is such a better life. I am new a writer on searchwarp, but if you could look up some of my articles and give me some feedback, I would appreciate it. God bless. And yes, I am blessed beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Hi Avis. Your article is so timely for me. Forgiveness does not mean condoning a bad behavior. For me it just actually means letting go of the hurt. I really need to remember that. Thanks for the reminder.
I believe when we write, we write to ourselves as much as anyone else. I, too, needed the reminder. I'm delighted to have helped you in any way possible. But, you had to be open and receptive. I'm thankful you were, Diane. You stated something that is profoundly true that we may not understand. "Forgiveness does not mean condoning a bad behavior." No, Diane, it doesn't! "For me it just actually means letting go of the hurt." Your comments and those of others contribute to this article beautifully.
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