It is Crucial to Forgive Others!

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  Matthew 6:14-15 NIV


Over the course of my life, I have had to battle numerous times about forgiving those who had hurt me.  Many times, I didn't want to, but God wouldn't let me rest until I did.  It is the verse I've shared above in Matthew that God used to keep my life on path when it came to forgiving those around.  How powerful it is, the very words of Jesus, that if we don't forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  I needed God to forgive me.  I needed His presence in my life to see me through.  I needed Him to hear my prayers and help me.  I just plain old needed Him.  Without God in my life over the years, I couldn't have made it.


A book that God placed in my path that also helped me in this area is "The Bait of Satan" by John Bevere.  Amazing book on conquering unforgiveness.  By the time I was finished reading that book, I was forgiving people that I didn't even know I was holding unforgiveness towards.  I felt like a different person.


Many of you may think that, "Sure, it's easy for her.  She hasn't had very much bad done to her."  Let me tell you, my friend, many times I was hurt so deeply by rumors and things people did to me, that I didn't think I would be able to leave my house and face the world.  It was only through the strength of God that I was able too.  I remember after my divorce, and rumors were spreading so severely, that I finally told my mother that in time people would see the truth.  Rumors were spread that I was a drug dealer and a lesbian.  Though there were others, these two crushed my spirit.  I had to hold my head high and forgive people that I thought were my friends that were repeating these rumors.


On top of this example, I've also had to forgive someone for sexually abusing me.  I've experienced sexual, physical, emotional and verbal abuse many times over the course of my life.  None of it was fun.  And no, I didn't want to forgive those who hurt me, but I knew that I had too.  


You see, forgiveness has nothing to do with the other person.  It has to do with your well being.  Unforgiveness and bitterness can lead to depression, anger, cancers and other illnesses.  It is a deadly tactic that the enemy tries to keep us in bondage with.  However, the moment you ask God to help you forgive those who have hurt you, the most wonderful peace comes over your body.  Forgiveness brings you closer to God.  Forgiveness brings about freedom.  Forgiveness allows you to enjoy the life that God created you to live.  It is a beautiful thing.


Let me encourage you today to truly forgive anyone that has hurt you in anyway.  Don't let this be a stumbling block in your life any more.  Yes, it is hard, but it will be more than worth it once you experience the freedom in Christ that comes with it.


I was listening to Pastor Hagge on television one night while I was going through a very hurtful time with a family that had severely wounded me by their words and avoidance.  I had spent hours crying out to God in pain.  Pastor Hagge said something that night that will always be a part of my life.  He said to bless those who persecute you, and pray for those who hurt you. Romans 12:14 tells us to bless and not curse them who hurt or persecute us.    I thought to myself, "Yeah, right!"  I didn't want to do this, but I knew I had to in order to experience the freedom I needed.  Every day when I took my sons to school, I'd pass this families home.  I'd pray God's blessings upon their entire family and asked God to meet their every need.  As each day passed, I felt a much greater peace.  Within a few days, I truly meant these words from my heart.  Before I knew it, I was praying good things for this family.  I had forgot about the pain, truly forgave, and turned my thoughts and prayers towards blessings for them.  


Join with me today in beginning a new journey in your life.  Today is the today to truly forgive everyone that has hurt or wounded you.


Dear God, In Jesus name, I ask that you touch each person today.  Bless their lives.  Speak to their hearts and show them, dear God, those they need to forgive.  Help them today to hand over all of their pain to You.  Help them to see that the devil is holding them and bondage, and You want to set them free.  Hallelujah!  Your Word says, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."  (2 Corinthians 3:17)  Praise God!  Dear God, I ask that You hover over each one of them today and fill them with the freedom that they deserve.  We love you so much, and we praise You from the depths of our heart!  In Jesus name, Amen!