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Living a Forgiving Life
We know the pain and devastation from damaged and broken relationships. God knew we would offend Him and each other.
Jesus’ new Covenant tells us to love and do good to our enemies. God has forgiven our debt that we could not pay. When we refuse to forgive we hold others accountable.
Relationships thrive when we forgive others as we want to be forgiven.
Many of us have struggled with unforgiveness. Avoidance or tolerance is not forgiveness.
In forgiveness, we release the one who hurt us, expecting nothing from them, not even an apology. Forgiveness can provide opportunity for a relationship to be restored.
Steps to living a forgiving life:
1. Forgiveness is a process, it takes time, and the Holy Spirit helps us.
2. Define the hurt causing our unforgiveness.
3. Try to understand the one who hurt us. We judge our self by our intentions, but we judge others by their words or actions.
4. People with hurts in their heart cause hurt in others.
5. Ask God to let us see our offender through His eyes. Jesus died to forgive everyone.
6. Just as God separates our sin from us, we need to separate the offense from our offender. Good people do bad things; everyone makes mistakes.
7. Putting our feelings in writing has a way of bringing clarity and healing.
8. Stop talking negatively or slandering. Pray salvation and blessings for them. Reach out to our offender if possible.
9. Allow yourself to grieve.
10. Look forward. God only speaks of plans for our future.
As we change our thoughts, we change our hearts.
Suggestion
Make a list of strained relationships in your life. For each, note whether you are avoiding, tolerating, or forgiving.
Exercise
Find a friend and let them represent the one who hurt you. Look them in the eye and release them as follows:
“(___name___ ), I do not know why you (describe how the person hurt you), but it hurt me deeply. I am tired of thinking negative thoughts when I think of you—it drains the life out of me.
Today I choose to forgive even though you did not ask. I expect nothing from you, not even an apology. I ask God to give you rich blessings. I ask the Holy Spirit to seal my forgiveness with His love and power.”
Copyright 2019 Moe and Paige Becnel @ Blending A Family Ministry
About this Plan
Blending a Family 40-day Devotional written by Moe and Paige Becnel at Blending a Family Ministry is a resource for remarried families. The Becnel’s married in 1989 with 5 children, and were quickly overwhelmed with many issues exclusive to blended families. The plan discusses the cause of the issues many families face, and provides solutions found in God’s Word that fuel family growth. God is for you!
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