I Am Forgiving

Here’s a challenge for you: for one week, set aside ten minutes a day to chronologically go back in time to forgive every person whom you’ve tried to forget but have not forgiven, even those offenses about which you’ve perhaps made the excuse that you should not have to forgive.

This exercise takes you back to your earliest days and experiences that you don’t like to think about. We have all had some secret hurts, and maybe you’ve prayed a forgiveness prayer without being specific. Think of all the broken relationships you’ve pushed under the rug and not thought about for years. You may have unresolved anger stemming from earlier than grade school.

People and relationships are usually what we think about when it comes to forgiveness, but what about things out of our control, like the denominations, institutions, businesses, cities, and even countries that have hurt you? Our hearts freeze up at false accusations, discrimination, unfair regulations, fallen preachers, battling congregations, corrupt politicians, and a million other injustices and crimes and the people who commit them. Tolerance and forgiveness are not the same. The idea of “live and let live” is far from forgiveness.

Forgiveness is release. You cannot carry the weight of the wrongs you’ve suffered or the evils of the world. Forgiveness is not kissing evil on the cheek and saying all is well. It’s giving it all, being specific, over to God, and that way, you’re kicking away the evil others have done to you and the evil in the world and releasing it from its stronghold over you. Unforgiveness is like gangrene in your soul; undiagnosed, it spreads through your brain and every part of you.

Don’t be afraid to forgive your enemies. They won’t be any less guilty. When Jesus was on earth, he offered and taught forgiveness for all of humanity. He even forgave his murderers. The only one he rejected was Satan, and you reject Satan when you release yourself from the grip of unforgiveness. These feelings rob you of blessings, healing, and even answered prayer.

Affirmations:

• I keep a close watch over my heart so it won’t freeze with anger that I mistake for indignation.
• I set aside my reluctance to dig deep for buried unforgiveness.
• I release the grip of unforgiveness and hidden resentment in the name of Jesus.
• I seek healing from the effects of secret wounds.
• I am empowered by forgiveness.
• The Holy Spirit is teaching me how to love more and how to forgive myself.