There is only one you in this world. You were uniquely created and are on a one of a kind trajectory through life. No one else on the planet shares the same personality, characteristics, and experiences as you. These facts alone declare the significance of your potential! However, as different as we are, we all share one thing in common. Every one of us has been hurt by the actions or words (spoken or words left unspoken) of others. How we choose to tend to those wounds is critical because an unhealed wound will block our own transformation and growth, thus, stifling our potential.
That brings me to our topic today- forgiveness. It’s a topic we usually don’t get too excited about because it requires us to give up our right to be angry and let go of our bitterness and expectation of an apology. It requires a level of humility that is often difficult, and takes great effort to achieve. Nevertheless, the rewards of forgiveness is worth the effort.
Harboring unforgiveness confines us as we build walls to protect ourselves. It’s as if we are imprisoned for what someone else has done. We are not meant to stay wounded. Jesus doesn’t want us to be stuck and fenced in. He paid a hefty price so that we can walk in freedom, wholeness and purpose. Isaiah 61:1 proclaims it beautifully:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners
The reality is, we can’t do a single thing about experiences that have already happened. We can’t change the past. Even the Lord doesn’t do that; He redeems it. He has shown us the pattern, first by extending mercy and grace we don’t deserve, followed by forgiveness. And He asks us to extend the same to others. I’ll never tell you it will be easy because it requires a crucifixion of our pride and a letting go feelings we feel we have a right to have.
When we make the choice to forgive we heal. Forgiveness is like applying a healing balm to our emotional wound. And letting go of the offense allows us to continue growing. Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer has power over us and does not influence our decision making. That is what freedom is…the absence of something restricting us.
Has someone offended or hurt you and you haven’t been able to let it go? Forgiveness begins when we turn our hurt, anger, and heartache into a prayer. Lay it all at the foot of the cross and receive the healing and freedom that Christ has provided there. Release the other person into God’s hand for Him to judge and punish. Let go and cut the string by releasing your expectation of an apology and the other person’s acknowledgement of how they hurt you. You will be amazed by the freedom that comes from the release of the burden.
Forgiving won’t change the past, but it will change your future. You will be free to move forward as you are being transformed into Christ’s likeness, walking with purpose, and fulfilling your potential. You were created to be a world changer! So be a woman who rises above your circumstances. Our testimony is not about what you undergo, it’s about what you overcome.
Join Cherry and I on Facebook Live today as Cherry gives her amazing testimony about forgiving the unforgiveable. You can find it here.
Enjoy these free downloadable resources to accompany the video:
