9.18.24 - forgiving when you don’t feel like it
Good morning ,
Forgiveness is another one of those big topics I struggle with. I know I need to forgive but the process of it feels like I'm still getting the short end especially when the person never apologizes and I'm still supposed to forgive. (it's not fair)
One thing I love about the Bible is it's clarity about how we are called to live and respond. All of it goes back to the principle of love, which is rarely easy to do when you have been wronged.
My husband bought me this book for my birthday last year and I finally started reading it. It's called "Forgiving what you can't forget" by Lysa Terkeurst. There is a quote in the book that perfectly describes my journey of forgiveness - Forgiveness is both a decision and a process. It's usually not a one and done situation when you have been severely hurt or abused by someone.
We cannot expect that once we forgive someone that we are automatically healed from what happened. It's a process that I wanted to avoid. If I'm being honest, who has time to heal? I just wanted to press a forgiveness button and move on.
This forgiveness thing has been something I've been dealing with more since writing my book. I'm learning the importance of true forgiveness. It doesn't mean we forget and we accept the toxicity back into our lives. I recorded a Youtube video a few weeks ago about the power of forgiveness (click here to watch) and why it's so important for us. One of my subscribers left me a comment with this bible verse.
Matthew 18:35 - “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
The last 3 words "from your heart" really stood out to me because we can't fake forgiveness with God. He knows our heart. I believe those 3 words were added to remind us that it's not just saying "I forgive" but truly forgiving from your heart. When we truly forgive we can begin healing. We don't have to harbor feelings of bitterness, anger or loneliness. We can move forward in all that God has in store for us.
By no means will any of this be easy but I wanted to give you something to think about because it's been on my heart. Maybe you don't have anyone to forgive and you need to forgive yourself. I've been there too. We can forgive but it's a decision we must make to begin the process of healing.
The other thing I'll leave you with is something else Lysa said about making a decision to forgive. She would say "I forgive "x" for doing "x" and whatever my feelings don't yet allow for, the blood of Jesus will surely cover.
This was a reminder to me that forgiveness is not completed alone. We need the Lord to help us and thankfully he is there for us every step of the way.
I appreciate you being a part of my community. It's always more than skin care :)
If this email has helped you please share it with someone you know.
Love,
Danielle
naturallycreated4you.com
Connect with Me!
Join My Facebook Group - Christians Sharing God's Goodness
Subscribe To My Youtube Channel
5 Things I've Learned While Studying The Bible - New Video