I Don't Want to Forgive!

When it comes to forgiveness, so often these are the bible verses or blog topics we long to overlook. When you've been hurt, the last thing you want to do is oer the person that hurt you forgiveness. We can come up with every reason or excuse to hold onto the anger or bitterness that has rooted itself in our hearts. We can explain to others the very points, checking each one off on our fingers as to why we feel that person doesn't deserve to be forgiven. And there isn't one of us that hasn't been to that place where we wrestle with offering someone unmerited grace.

But here's the thing I have come to realise. Holding on to un-forgiveness destroys us, not them, us! It slowly festers away inside where it causes havoc, allows bitterness to take root, anger to cover reason and before we know it, we begin to show those feelings on the outside for all the world to see.

Offering forgiveness doesn't just release them, it releases us and allows us to heal. Forgiveness doesn't mean that what they did wasn't wrong. It doesn't take away the hurt or betrayal you felt. And it does not mean that their actions were justified. It means that you no longer have to punish yourself for their actions and as healing begins, slowly you will feel the frustration and anger dissipate.

When I talk about offering forgiveness, I don't write lightly and sugar coat it. As Christians our goal is to be more like Christ daily, right? We want to walk out our lives with His light shining from every part of our being. And we only have to look at the life of Jesus throughout the Gospels to see, that He went to the cross to oer us all forgiveness. Nowhere in the bible do you see Him saying, "Well, I'm going to the cross to die, but only for those I liked or haven't done me wrong." No, Jesus went for the cross to forgive all our sins. Each and every one of us.

Let's go back even just a fraction before to the last supper. Jesus knew He was about to be betrayed by one of His disciples and denied three times by another, and yet... He served them by washing their feet and offered them His forgiveness before they even knew they needed to be forgiven. What an awesome God we serve, right?

I want to encourage you all today with two Bible Verses that give me the reminder I honestly need when I am battling to forgive.

Be Kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32

"And whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses." - Mark 11:25

Hey Sister, I know it's hard to forgive sometimes, but it's much harder to continue to carry the weight of holding onto the anger. In the end it will hold you captive and not them. I pray this post blessed you today & that maybe you know someone that also needs to read it, so share away!