Forgiveness… a powerful action that sets you free

It seems that many of us are feeling frustrated these days. Maybe someone let you down. Or, maybe someone did not live up to your expectations. Those occurrences can sting. Those experiences can hurt. However, there are other folks who may have experienced a more intense situation. Perhaps someone was wronged - or robbed - or injured - or discriminated against - or abused. Those situations may leave more than just a “sting”. Those can cause a deeper pain. A soul pain.

When we encounter such infliction, what should we do? What is the right response?

On then one hand there is the pragmatic aspect. Typically one will address the issue - or fix the problem - or seek assistance (legal, police, counselor, etc). These are important steps. However, there is another aspect to our reaction that is even more essential.

“What is this other aspect?” you may be asking. “If we correct the problem - aren’t we done?”

Righting the wrong is important but it is not enough. It may only be addressing the symptom or surface issue. There is still the matter of the heart.

Anger, if not resolved can take on a life of its own. It breeds bitterness, self-rightous indignation, superiority and even sickness in our bodies. Yes, unchecked anger can result in many ills… in society and in the human body.

Scripture teaches that we can be angry, but sin not. Scripture also instructs us that we ought not let the sun go down on our anger.

Oh… easier said than done! When one is fueled by anger, it is not easy to “let it go”. We want revenge. We want the other person or people to “get what’s coming to them”. So, in the midst of such momentum, how do we resolve this anger in our hearts.

The antidote is Forgiveness. Yes, forgiveness. It is not an emotion or something one has to “feel”. Rather it is something we do.

Next time you are feeling the victim, or wronged, or that someone owes you something - deal with the pragmatic stuff, and also forgive!

Forgiveness does not mean that you let an abusive person keep on abusing you. No. Rather, after you deal with the pragmatic aspect (which may include removing yourself from a harmful environment) - be sure to also deal with your heart. Yes… your heart.

Forgiveness is an action. It is a choice. And it does not always need to involve the person who harmed you. One example of how you can apply forgiveness is to pray. Just talk to God, and speak out loud something like this:

“Oh, I am really upset about _______ (whatever the issue was), and would like to see ___________ (that person) get what is coming to them - but instead I am choosing to forgive. God, I forgive ________ (that person) for doing _________ and trust that as you know all the details - that you will work out everything that needs to be done. But, as for me, I release ___________ (that person) and do not hold a grudge against them any longer for what they did. I know you love _________ (that person) as much as you love me. And, I know that you have already forgiven me for equal, if not worse stuff. Just as I receive your forgiveness, I freely offer it to _____________ (that person). This is not easy, and I ask that you help me to truly release any revenge, anger, bitterness and offense that I had been carrying - and that I would hold nothing against ___________ (that person) in my heart. I trust you Lord to make this real to me. I also pray for __________ (that person) to experience your love and grace. Amen.”

I have done this and experienced the power of God’s faithfulness. He provides freedom from the chains of revenge/anger/bitterness. Yet, being totally candid - I have also had occasions where - after praying, I still entertained the pain and revenge in my heart and mind. When that happened, I just went back to God and prayed (again). God is faithful!

The irony is that the person who benefits most from your act of forgiveness is not the one who wronged you - rather it is you! We are the ones that experience God’s peace in our heart and mind - and we are the ones who are set free from the obsessing, anger, energy drain, and sickness.

So, how about it? Are you ready to change the world? And are you ready to change the world within you? Let’s do this and experience The Blessing Effect!