Grace To Forgive
When we operate in unforgiveness for any reason, no matter what the sin is that someone has committed against us, we disallow ourselves from being forgiven by God of our sins. Thus the high importance of us forgiving others.
We have to tell ourselves, what someone did to me, is not as great as what Jesus did for me on the cross.
When we don’t forgive we are doing the opposite. What we are saying is what someone did to me is greater than what Jesus did for me on the cross and I refuse to except what Jesus did.
-
That changes things doesn’t it?
Who or what is greater than the love that Jesus has for you. Nothing and NO one. No matter what they have done, Jesus paid the cost for it all. HE paid the cost for your sins and for your pain as well. He took your pain, your sickness and all of your hurt along with your sins and guess what? He did the same thing for me as well.
How do I forgive? This may be a question you may ask yourself. I did, many times.
We can not forgive in our own strength. We forgive in His strength, by His grace and through his love. Ask for grace and God will give it to you every time and before you even realize it, you will have forgiven someone of their sins. I know. I did.
- I had been victimized by domestic violence, as well as emotional, physical, psychological and sexual abuse for many years by my step father and others for over 25 years. Once I began being healed in those areas by the Lord and his love for me, I began to seek his face and ask for his grace to forgive those who had caused so much hurt, damage and mistreatment in my life.
I could not do it myself. I was so not equipped for the task. I needed someone who was greater than I to come in and assist me to do what I could not do in my own natural strength. God was more than able to provide his supernatural strength to me through his grace that is sufficient for every insufficiency. The moment I asked for it, the grace to forgive was granted; though I did not realize it at the time.
-
I began asking God to show me how I’d forgiven my stepfather’s sins and the sins of others.
About this time I was preparing to graduate from college. On the day of my graduation, everything went according to plan for graduation, with the exception of one thing. My stepfather, for whatever reasons, was present at the graduation and I would be face to face with the person who had abused me and caused so much damage in my life (often by hearing him simply call my name). As I stated, I don’t know why he was there or how we happen to be in the same hallway during the graduation’s reception, but there he was; and I was about to be tested in forgiveness.
When I heard my name, I turned to see who was calling me. When I saw it was him, I walked over, before I realized it; hugged him and said, “Hello, God bless you.” When I finally realized what I’d done, a feeling of relief came over me as if a weight had been lifted. I knew that moment, I’d passed my test. I had forgiven my stepfather of all the evils that he had plagued my life and family’s life with for many years. That moment, I was free from everything he’d done and I could not proceed and go forward with my life as God intended.
-
This was all done because of God’s grace.
Beloved of God allow me to encourage today. Since God is no respect of persons, he will do for you, what he did for me too. I challenge you today to ask God for the grace to forgive others that have hurt you; and then wait for God to provide just the opportunity to show you that his grace is sufficient for you even in the area of unforgiveness and hurt. That day, will be the day that you too will be able to move forward leaving the past behind, so that you too, can proceed into the purpose and plan that God has for your life.
Dyanner Brown is a faith and encouragement blogger for Hope for Women magazine
I really enjoyed reading this post Dyanner! You hit home on so many points. I pray that someone is truly blessed by your words!