Fighting forgiveness



"Your not stuck because you don't know how to forgive, your stuck because you dont want too" (quote taken from the movie The Shack)

Have you ever been given these words. It's a true reality for many of us. The bible says we must forgive, but our whole being really doesn't want too. Why should we forgive? Why should they get away with it? I want them to hurt like they made me hurt. Any of these ring a bell. At some point in our lives, or maybe its every day we are faced with the battle of the need to forgive. Forgiveness isn't easy, but when our issues are compared to the ultimate sacrifice Jesus took on so we could be forgiven for all the hidden sins we've made in our lives. You'd think why do I have such a big issue. But that's the thing, we do find it hard. Because the whole situation of forgiveness is beyond us. We need the help of Jesus to overcome the pain we've encountered. He is and will always be the only one that can make it possible. Without him, and I'm talking from experience here, without him we'd remain angry, bitter, stubborn. But that, as we all know gets us no where, we were never made to carry burdens, but instead to lay it all at the cross so it can super naturally die and we can rise in the freedom christ offers us through the purpose of the cross.

My recent experience of this is I carried a lot of anger and hurt towards one of my parents. I don't need to go into detail but I really struggled with a lot towards them. One particular night, God reminded me of something that happened years ago, when I was a teenager. Immediately rage brewed its ugly head.. and i wanted to cause physical pain. But within seconds of that rage building up, i just repeated. "Jesus, help me, Jesus help me" over and over. And you know what, it was like a chain had broken and set me free. I fell asleep and when morning came, I woke up with a heart full of joy. Hallelujah. There is power in the name of Jesus. Even to this day.

You see the reason why that moment occurred, was because that evening God stirred in my heart to watch the film 'The Shack' so I did. And near the end, once the main character Mackenzie had forgiven his dad, God came to him in a father figure form, whereas before he couldn't handle a father figure so God was a woman just to ease in the situation. Anyway, near end God takes mack to where his daughter's body was. But before they reached the exact spot, he needed to learn to forgive this stranger who had done the horrible deed to his daughter. Naturally he didn't want to. It's easier to cause pain back than it is to forgive and let go. But Mack couldn't truly be free if he still held onto anger of what happened. So Mack knowing it's the right thing to do, takes a deep sigh and says "I don't know how". Well God being God and knowing everything. Gently says "your not stuck because you don't know how to forgive, your stuck because you won't forgive"  ouch! That was like an arrow to the heart. But it's TRUE. I didn't want to forgive the parent in question,. I knew I had too, but I didn't want to. So there and then I prayed God help me to forgive and let go. I want to forgive but can't do it on my own. That's when the remembrance of the past came and the freeing of christ came into play. God is good. Maybe there is someone or even yourself that you need to forgive. Or maybe like me, you know in your spirit that you need to forgive but you aren't sure what. Just ask God and he will bring to light what it is you had buried deep inside. And it's time to let go. It may not happened over night, it may take some time. But God promises to help us through.

Isaiah 41:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Just like the Israelites who were in captivity in Egypt for 400years and God rescued them through his vessel Moses. Pharaoh and his men followed and had them trapped between them and the sea. Thinking it was the end, yet in reality it was only the beginning, because God parted the sea and made a way for the Israelites to walk through on dry ground, a way where there was no way. Just like that, though it may seem impossible to comprehend the sea splitting in two. God can do such a thing in our lives and whatever is our vast sea so to speak that needs to be forgiven. It may look like we are surrounded, by things such as a lie told behind our backs, gossip spread about us in a way convincing to everyone who hears it. Maybe someone took your idea to those who needed to hear it from you, and your feelings were dampened. The possibilities are endless of why we would need to forgive someone. But like the Israelites God is willing to part the sea and help you walk on the dry ground of forgiveness through to freedom.

Forgiveness isn't weak, it doesn't make you soft. We are our own worst enemies, because we house anger, bitterness and gossip in our bodies. Through our stubbornness we don't always want to forgive those who do reckless actions and saying soul/mind wrenching words that scares us beyond our ability to over look it. But it's only us that can take that step to letting go of the garbage in our lives, forgive the wrongs in our lives and press on to an incredible adventure, designed my the creator of all things. Who himself knows exactly what's best for us. And like the bible says joy comes in the morning. I can't speak for your life but, whenever I have forgiven and let go. Weight is lifted off my shoulders and joy beems through. Hallelujah. May peace abound in you and you trust in the lord to help you in your life and if forgiveness is needed my the seas part and joy overflow in and through you, in jesus name amen.

Let's pray.
Father you never designed us to carry burdens, pain and emotional and mental torture through hardships and painful trials. Whatever the reader is going through father I ask you to fill them with your faithful love peace and joy, so they can stand strong knowing that whatever happens they can trust you to part the sea and guide them into the journey of forgiveness that leads them to joy, not what the world considers joy, your precious joy. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice your son Jesus did so we can experience forgiveness from yourself. In jesus name amen.

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