Sometimes forgiveness is downright hard. Don’t you think so? We may know it is the best path; however, we hold tight to the offense as if somehow it will help protect us from the pain. But does that work? If you want real healing, you must decide to begin the process of forgiveness. Will you start today – will you forgive and help yourself?
But Wait – Why Should I Forgive?
I can almost hear your cries. “But Maree, you have no idea the pain I am feeling – I have been wronged. ” I don’t know the offense, and I am sorry for your pain. However, when we change our perspective, we will see forgiveness has a lot more to do with US than the other person.
I want you to heal, and so does God!
Forgiveness is a strange process and holds a bit of magic for the one willing to choose this path. But we must take the first step and choose to forgive. Click To TweetForgiveness Takes Practice
Oh, I don’t have this mastered. Many times in life, I hold tight to the wrongdoing of another and refuse to forgive. It keeps me stuck in a place of fear, isolation, and loneliness. How about you?
In my search to choose our featured article for this week, I found a little more than I had anticipated. As I read Diane’s post, I recognized a little unforgiveness had begun stirring in my heart. Some words had been spoken, which felt harsh and unfair. I hadn’t been able to let them go.
Her words and the scripture she chose washed over my heart and mind and reminded me forgiveness is more for our benefit than the other person.
I hope you will head over Diane Ferreira’s website “Worth Beyond Rubies” and read our featured article. After all, we will all be hurt at some point in our lives and need to seek forgiveness to attain the healing we need.
Will You Forgive?
Now for Our Featured Post
“Feeling Betrayed by a Friend“
By Diane Ferreira
Click here to read our featured post.
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Forgiveness is such a cornerstone piece of our faith… but why is it so hard to accomplish. It is like this pathway you have to walk down and be redirected back to as you veer off to the easier wider path. Narrow is the way and forgiveness is key to growing in our faith. Thanks for the encouragement.
You said this so well. Thank you. Yes, it is so easy to veer off the path without even being aware. I love it when someone can gently redirect me. Maree
God has truly been working on me with this. I am holding on my bitterness in so many areas, and He is slowly but surely exposing it all so that I can heal.
Forgiveness is a strange thing it creeps up when we least expect it. Praying for you. Maree
This is a very encouraging and important post. I am a stuffer who has endured much in my 45 years. I did not realize I was holding anything (hurt, bitterness, resentment…) until God revealed it to me. I would always just say I’m fine and forget about it. I would never mistreat anyone, even when I’d been done wrong. So I thought I all was well. God helped me see otherwise, however, and I can now say that forgiveness is freeing. Periodically we need to get alone with God and do a heart check (especially if one is a stuffer like me 😀 ). It is imperative to keep our heart clear before God and man. Thanks for sharing, and God bless you!
Thank you for sharing a bit of your path to forgiveness. I agree with what you said, “we do need to get alone, with God, and do a heart check.” It is so easy to stuff things, but they tend to leak out somewhere. Blessings, Maree
I was abused as a child and the path to forgiveness was hard. But until you can come to the realization that Forgiveness isn’t for the person you’re forgiving but is rather more about yourself, it seems completely impossible.
Thank you!
Jennifer – I am so sorry someone hurt you as a child. Thank you for sharing your story. I bet it was hard to forgive, but it sounds like you have and know the benefit. I agree it is more for us than the other person. Maree
Here it is, Maree. Thanks for asking. 🙂 https://barbarah.wordpress.com/2019/06/17/bruised-reeds-are-we-all/
Thank you! I will head over to read it first thing in the morning. Maree
Forgiveness can be so hard, but necessary. laurensparks.net
Yes, I agree. Maree
Forgiveness releases us from the grip of bitterness taking root. Those things that are particularly difficult to forgive can only be done through Jesus & in God’s strength.
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer – I agree we need Jesus. In my lifetime, I have had to forgive some incredible things. I couldn’t have done it without God, but boy did I feel better after I did. Maree
Great pick for your featured post, I read it last week, powerful words on forgiveness. Thanks for holding a great party.8)
Thank you for joining us for the party. It is nice to have you here. Maree
I look to my Amish neighbors for the perfect example of forgiveness. They believe forgiveness is the FIRST step in the healing process and that you must forgive in order to be forgiven of your own sins.
I think you have wise neighbors. Maree
Diane did a really good job honoring the reality of feelings and acknowledging the power of God to help us live in ways that transcend feelings. Thanks, Maree, for your faithfulness in this space.
Michele, I agree Diane did an excellent job on this topic. I am so glad you visit here regularly. I love your participation. Maree
I was just writing about this topic yesterday for a future blog post, so this is timely! Sometimes we harbor unforgiveness unaware and need something like this to point it out to us. I like the point she made that it is a decision, not a feeling – too often we think we need to “feel” it first.
Barbara – Please point me to your post when you publish it. I would love to read it. I agree it needs to be a decision, not a feeling. Maree