Finding the Joy in ForgivenessНамуна

God is so insistent that we forgive because He ultimately knows that when we don’t forgive, we are the only person that is hurt by that choice. Typically, the people we are refusing to forgive either don’t know or don’t care that we have not forgiven them. They are not carrying that burden around, every moment of every day. But, we are. Forgiveness frees us from anger and bitterness.

Unforgiveness has the power to do the following:

• Blocks healing (mental and spiritual).
• Hinders your offering being accepted by God.
• Blocks you from being forgiven.
• Opens doors to the enemy to oppress you.
• Hinders prayers being answered.

God showed us how to forgive. Then, Jesus called us to forgive. Now, the only option is to choose to forgive.

Who do you need to forgive? Write a letter to the person or about the situation that you haven’t forgiven, pray over it and if you're led to do so, destroy it. This is a representation of letting go of the pain and unforgiveness in our hearts.

Create a forgiveness vision board. Add pictures and scriptures related to forgiveness. What might your life look like after truly forgiving?

Prayer:

Please help me to forgive. Take the burden of my unforgiveness and bitterness away from me. Free me from the toxic emotions that are keeping me in the painful grip of the past. I want to forgive as you have forgiven me. I may not feel like forgiving, but I know with your strength and in your power, I can forgive.

God, I trust you to deal justly with the person who has violated and wronged me. I will leave the justice up to you. I am confident in your word, which proclaims I can do all things through you, who gives me strength. I will surrender my unforgiveness to you and forgive.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.