It is a cold Autumn day early in the morning, I am thinking of lots of things. I would like to talk about forgiveness. What does forgiveness mean? Forgiveness means to not feel resentment or anger towards someone for something they have done. When someone truly forgives it means they are putting it in the past and moving forward. A person may be treated horribly. The bible says "Lord, if another person sins against me, how often should I forgive? AS many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy times seven." Matthew 18: 21-22. So when someone has done you wrong, you should forgive them and when you forgive them, The bible also says to Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you with all malice. And be ye kind to one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32.
I think that this world is so full of sin and hatred. There is no forgiveness. Not even in relationships. So many people are lacking the skills to practice forgiveness. This world is not perfect, people are not perfect,everyone makes mistakes. When someone makes a mistake, then you should forgive them with all your heart. If it is in a relationship then you should forgive them and communicate with them and truly give them a chance to improve. If it causes anxiety or feelings of uneasiness then go to God in prayer, he will give you the strength to get through it. Trust in him, he has forgiven you, so there for you should forgive others. If someone truly forgives then they dont dwell on it. When an old battle comes to the surface time and time again, ask yourself if you are practicing forgivness. I am going to list some ways to practice forgivness below.
1. Before going to sleep, consciously let go of the hurts and angers of the day. Regard each evening as the beginning of a new day.
2. Face your most recent experience of when forgiveness did not happen. Can you find forgiveness by walking in the shoes of the other person? Are you willing to speak truthfully and patiently about your personal conflicts? Ask someone to anoint you for healing this relationship.
3. Write down various words, gestures and actions that convey forgiveness. Practice these things each day.
4. Write a letter to someone you are struggling to forgive. State clearly what the injury is, why it still hurts, and why it is difficult to forgive. Go to God in prayer and lift this diffuculty up to him. Then burn the letter and scatter its ashes. Wish no harm to your enemies and pray about this and say " Dear God in heaven please hear my prayer, I ask with all my heart for you to forgive all my enemies and to heal them and to not let the damage of our relationship cause them harm but I ask you to repair it so that together we can serve you in every way.
I hope that all who read this will ask yourself, am I practicing the ways of forgiveness? If not I pray that this information listed here will help you.
In Christ,
Jennifer
