"Forgiveness for many is not just a light switch you can turn on or off. For many of us it IS a process, a journey. Depending on the level of hurt and mistrust, it may take days, weeks, months before a person is able to forgive another for a wrong doing." Art Scott
"Sometimes when a person is offended, the other person never intended to offend." Dr. Marlene Hanlon, PhD.
We have all heart the expression "bury the hatchet". Sometimes is may be very difficult to forgive someone who has hurt us. The hurt can range from being defrauded financially, emotionally you name it. When a person chooses to be deceitful and has an affair, when the truth comes out, the rage and anger can be extremely deep and painful. When we dwell on trying to get even, stay mad and angry, the person we really hurt is ourselves.
When we forgive another, it is for our good and it is a healthy decision. When we harbor anger, bitterness and wrath, it weighs us down and destroys our spirit. We should never allow someone else to rob us of God's joy.
Only by God's grace can we learn to forgive another person and move on. I have had several people in my life reference the word "karma" or "what goes around comes around". All I know is that God keeps great accounting ledgers and it is best to leave vengeance / getting even up to God the Almighty. I have seen God bless people who were harmed and I have witnesses in my lifetime people whose hearts are evil have the literal wrath of God on their life.
Here are 7 scriptures which deal with FORGIVENESS
Psalm 103:8-12 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Luke 23:43 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 7:47-48 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven."
John 4:13-14 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (Jesus speaking to the woman at the well)
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Here are 6 great music pieces which support the idea of FORGIVENESS
"Because He Lives" - The Gaither Vocal Band (Serbian)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be3EnlkYhzE&feature=related
"Forgive And Forget" - Mississippi Mass Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CrYzHfW4bUPlease Forgive Me - The Crabb Family Live at Brooklyn Tabernacle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugas-qLaSi8
"The Power of the Cross" - Keith & Kristyn Getty "The Power of the Cross"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubGCISQQ7Zo&feature=fvst
"Grace Like Rain" - Todd Agnew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcGJb-mPMmg
Grace Greater Than all our Sin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBWAzh4SvYQ&feature=related
A supportive prayer....
God teach us how to forgive others when we have been hurt. Give us the grace to not only forgive but to lovingly move on with our lives and trust you to take care of the rest. Amen
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