Forgiveness
Forgiveness is FAR from easy but necessary for us to live in and with peace. After reading “Forgiving What You Can’t Forget’, I remember a statement made I just couldn’t believe and had to see for myself. The author was right!! ‘Forgive and forget’ is NOT biblical! I know!! My mind was blown too.. That statement was taught to many of us for the selfish purpose to keep moving forward in the whatever situation we may be dealing with. *que Dory “Just keep swimming”*. Except this is where most of us easily get depressed, filled with anger, living a unfulfilling life and almost completely shut down.
This statement ‘to forgive and forget’ is doing nothing to help heal you or your soul. Yes, forgiveness is biblical and something Jesus wants us to do. To forgive is healing all in itself but do not forget. Please remember scripture Proverbs 26:11 “As a dog returns to its vomit so a fool repeats his folly.” Forgive with your soul and keep moving forward. To be disrespected in anyway is not okay and you should never diminish yourself to stay in an unhealthy situation just to appease someone else. It is so important to love yourself like Jesus does. The Lord does not want to see His child in pain and hurt.
I also wants to share scripture that may bring you some peace in this as well. Hebrews 8:12 “For I will forgive their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their sins.” What this is saying is the Lord will forgive and will forget those who repent and call on Him. Referring back to Proverbs, it is not our job to forgive and forget but to forgive like Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (ESV)
In this time of healing, acknowledge the pain. Go through the emotions and call on Him. Call on Jesus and lean on Him. Do not be like a dog and keep your eyes on Christ for he has a plan for you. He knows the pain you have endured and hears your cries. He has goodness in store for you. Remember, Jesus who was a lamb lead to slaughter for our sins still asked “for us to forgive as they know not what they do “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”(Luke 23:34) Lean on Christ and pray.