Forgiving is hard to do (Giveaway)
January 2, 2008 | Proverbs 31 Ministries
Welcome to those of you who have dropped by from the Proverbs 31 Devotion today! I’m always excited to make new friends.
Forgiving is such a hard topic. It sometimes seems like it would be easier to take an eraser and rub the harder verses out of the Bible, doesn’t it? And yet forgiveness is transforming.
One reason it might be hard to forgive is that the offender isn’t sorry for what they did. Why should we “let go” when they’ve not admitted their wrongs?
Perhaps it’s because unforgiveness is like a strong rope tied around the ankle of the unforgiver. It ties us to the past far after the abuse has ended. It keeps us bound to feelings or behaviors in response to actions we can no longer change or over which we have no influence. It might even keep us from discovering who we can be, or what God intended.
Forgiveness is almost like carrying a pair of large spiritual scissors. Changing the way we think isn’t an overnight process. When unforgiveness or anger or bitterness seeps in — and it will — you and I can cut it at the roots, reminding ourselves that we have prayed to God to be free and whole, and if this has the opportunity to drag you or m back down it’s gotta go.
I recently heard a story of a young girl who was raised in dysfunction. She was talking to someone who shared with her that there were people who lived lives free from fighting and physical and verbal abuse. She was surprised. “Really?” she asked.
A light entered her world that said, “there just might be another way”.
That’s what forgiveness does. It’s not becoming a doormat or allowing people to hurt you or those you love — it’s the exact opposite.
It’s understanding that, regardless of someone else’s choices or actions, you and I can live free as we forgive and move forward into our lives — instead of being bound by the past.
I hope you come back. I’d love to meet you and hear what you have to say. Thank you for welcoming me as a new member of the Proverbs 31 Ministry team.
I’d love to offer a giveaway today! I’ll choose one of you who comment to receive an autographed copy of The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future.
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True forgiveness is so cleansing.
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:55 amThank you for sharing……..
I thought your name sounded new on the Prov. 31 blogroll. How exciting the way the ministry is growing. Planning on attending She Speaks this year. Will look forward to meeting you.