What makes forgiveness so hard?

Good morning people

I hope that you’re all well? Today we’ll be discussing about forgiveness, as you can probably tell from the title! Forgiveness is such a broad topic, and I will not be going into a great amount of detail in today’s post, but nonetheless I pray that this write up will be a blessing.

A problem which I’ve identified within my life is that sometimes I find it fairly challenging to forgive myself, and I’m sure that many people struggle with this too. An interesting point to note is that if you find it hard to forgive yourself, you’ll probably find it hard to forgive others. Wether one perceives it or not, we usually treat others as we treat ourselves. If you’re normally hard on yourself, you’ll also be tough on others! Why? Because we tend to place our own standards/expectations upon other people. We generally expect others to behave in similar ways to us (or in extreme cases, individuals may expect others to react, and act exactly like themselves), but God created us all differently. I routinely find that when I make a mistake, I meditate on the situation over and over again, analysing how I could’ve done things better. This is not a bad thing, BUT when these thoughts consume ones mind, it can be very unhealthy (over processing is not a good habit to have)! We must learn to let go and let God, and leave things in His hands, instead of trying to carry our own burdens! Plus, we should LEAVE VENGEANCE TO GOD!

Romans 12:19 ~ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.

Another point I’d like to bring to your attention, is that forgiveness isn’t easy, because it’s not something the human flesh is accustom to. From a worldly perspective it isn’t natural/normal to forgive someone who repeatedly, stabs you in the back, but it’s a ‘GODLY’ thing to do! It is through the power, and conviction of the Holy Spirit, that we’re able to forgive someone who hurts, or offends us.

Zechariah 4:6 ~ Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

^^^ The power of the Holy Spirit helps us to forgive others. This particular passage describes a vision which Zerubbabel had. When reading the whole chapter, it is evident that God desires for Zerubbabel to know, that the Holy Spirit will continually supply all of his needs. And I believe that the Holy Spirit will continually help us to show grace, and love towards others, through the act of forgiveness.

Most of the times when me and my sisters have finished arguing, we end up talking to one another like nothings happened. We always strive to apologies to one another after a disagreement, but on the odd occasion I find it quite difficult. At times I feel like I need a person to know that I’m upset, in order to prove my point, which usually involves me giving someone the dreadful ‘silent treatment’. Which is not the right thing to do (a very poor way of dealing with conflict). But during my morning power walk, the Holy Spirit pointed out to me, that forgiveness isn’t something natural. Humanly speaking it is very difficult, but with the Spirit’s help it is possible. Forgiveness becomes extremely difficult, if you don’t have God’s help.

So if you find yourself in a place where you find it challenging to let go and forgive, ask the Holy Spirit for help, for He is our helper. Stop carrying the burden of unforgiveness, and turn to God for deliverance. God has the power to set us free from chains of bitterness, and unforgiveness. Letting go of hurt is definitely a process, and healing can take place over a long period of time, rather than over night. But let us not forget that one, we’re also in need of God’s forgiveness, as we have all fallen short of God’s glorious standards. And two, we will all offend and hurt others, knowingly, or unknowingly.

Romans 3:23 ~ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Colossians 3:13 ~ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

We ought to look to Christ as a perfect example. He was treated unjustly on several occasions, and didn’t retaliate in a fleshly manner. Even at the point of His death on the cross, He cried out Father forgive.

1 Peter 2:22-23 ~ He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

Luke 23:33-34 ~ When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

I hope that you enjoyed today’s short read, and I pray that God will touch every soul which needs releasing from the chains of unforgiveness, and or resentment. We must forgive others, for this is what God requires of us believers. Forgiving others is a way in which we show love towards our neighbour. And God has commanded us to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Ephesians 4:32 ~ Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Love and blessings

From

Christian Lady After God’s Own Heart