When someone hurts us or commits some sort of wrong against us, we often decide we can either fight or forgive. But I am presenting the idea that will give the Psychologists in my family nightmares - I believe the Bible makes it clear that we don't have that choice. We are to forgive, not fight. Even if it's one of those things that you want to jump on a chair and yell - "I will never ever forgive you for this!"
But the Bible tells us that if we forgive THEM, God will forgive them too and He will forgive us. It also says if we don't forgive them, we don't get forgiven either. Look at the "Lord's Prayer"...
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. The Kingdom come, Thy Will be done in earth as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive them that sin against us. and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever, Amen.
It's pretty pointed - our forgiveness was freely given to us from the one who had to die and we don't have to die to give forgiveness to others - well....
We have to die to our anger, our unforgiving attitude and give what we have already received from God in Heaven. Forgiveness.
Start with forgiving yourself and then begin to forgive your list of others....the freedom it will give you is worth it!
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