Is Forgiving Really Necessary? Part 2
What does God say?
God wants us to have the response that leads to freedom and peace. His Way, is not to run or retreat from the issue at hand, but to face it with Him, open up about it with Him, and let Him give you the power to release it to Him.
This is no easy feat. It takes time. Some trauma and some wounds are deeper than others. It’s an intentional daily choice to make to forgive and let go of the “leaves” that represent hurt, pain, shame, anger, etc.
But The Promise wasn’t that it would be easy. But rather that we would not be alone. In fact He would lift us up, be with us, strengthen us, and help us so we need not be afraid (Isaiah 41).
So how do we begin this process of releasing the “leaves?” He says in Ephesians 4,
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Matthew 18 and Luke 17:
He wants us to forgive thoroughly and intentionally and constantly and completely with no limitations. Like He forgives us everyday when we ask Him to with a sincere heart, He will empower us to forgive everyday with a sincere heart whether people ask or not.
Proverbs 10 and 17:
He wants us to consider the relationship and what it means to us. Don’t let hatred and keeping a record of wrongs destroy what truly matters to you. God doesn’t do this for you.
Isaiah 43:
As a matter of fact, if we are to be like God in our relationships, then here is some food for thought. God tells us here that He blots out our transgressions for HIS OWN SAKE and doesn’t bring them back up. So if we want to love like God loves, then we must let go, for OUR OWN SAKE, the sins of those whom we love. Now this doesn’t mean that you stay in abusive or dangerous situations. But rather it means that you find a way or ways to reconcile appropriately and safely. Fight for Love, whether it’s a friendship, family, and especially marriage, FIGHT FOR IT! Chaplain Sam gave us great tools in the last article that will help us reach the goal reconciliation.
Psalm 103 and 1 Corinthians 13:
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
And He shows us the details of love. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
In order for unity and love to be a reality in our hearts and homes and relationships, let us release the leaves as the trees do. If we truly want to begin again and let God restore us and bring us to our happy place of Peace, that can surpass all understanding, then for our own sakes, and God’s sake, let us live the reality that for the sake of freedom, forgiveness really does matter.