You might be hurt, angry, embarrassed, and frustrated by other people’s actions towards you. You go the extra mile of thinking about revenge.
Perhaps you are battling with the past. Do you feel like you can’t continue in light of how somebody treated you? These wounds can be traumatic, leaving you with a lasting feeling of bitterness and hate.
Assuming this is the case, then, at that point, you want to find out about the benefits of forgiveness and repentance. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful tools available to us, and it can improve our lives in many ways.
What is Forgiveness?
Forgiveness is the decision to let go of resentment and anger towards someone who has hurt you. It is a choice to release all negative feelings and emotions and move on with your life. Forgiveness is not forgetting what happened or condoning the behavior. Instead, it is choosing to let go of the pain and hurt the person has caused you.
When you forgive someone, you release them from the debt of their wrongdoing. And when you repent, you acknowledge your wrongdoings and ask for forgiveness.
In Luke 15:11-22, Jesus gives us a parable of a prodigal son who leaves his Father and squanders all he has. This son eventually runs out of money and finds himself eating with the pigs. He comes to his senses and decides to return home. The prodigal son repented the result is that he was forgiven and welcomed back.
In this parable, Jesus is teaching us that no matter how far we are strayed let be always willing to forgive. Even when we wrong others, let us learn to ask for forgiveness. May we could not be experiencing wars, long ques in the law courts if we embrace forgiveness.
Why is it Important For Me to Forgive?
Forgiving gives you peace
Ephesians 4: 31-32
“Dispose of all sharpness, fury, and outrage, fighting and criticism, alongside each type of malice.” Be thoughtful and empathetic to each other, pardoning one another just as in Christ God forgave you. “
When we harbor unforgiveness and resentment, it hurts us emotionally and spiritually. Forgiving can make us feel like we are giving them a free pass to continue hurting us or others. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It doesn’t work that way.
The only person who suffers is you.
It’s important to forgive and forget because holding onto anger and bitterness will eat away at you. It’s like cancer that will destroy you from the inside out. If you don’t deal with it, it will ruin your relationships, health, and life.
Forgiveness brings inner peace. When you forgive someone, you no longer hold onto the hurt and pain they caused you. This can help you move on from the hurt and live a more peaceful life.
Mark 11:25
”Furthermore, whenever you stand to pray, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you for your sins. ”
Colossians 3:15
” Furthermore, let the tranquility of God rule in your souls, to them which likewise ye are brought into one body; and be ye grateful. ”
A heavy heart cannot please God. Maybe your prayers take a long time to be answered since you hate someone. But when we forgive others, it helps us let go of those negative feelings and start fresh. If you’re struggling to forgive someone who has wronged you, I encourage you to pray for them.
Praying for someone can help you to see them in a different light and start to feel empathy for them. It’s also important to remember that we all make mistakes—even the person who hurt you is imperfect and capable of making mistakes.
I John 1:9
“On the off chance that we admit our transgressions, He is dedicated and just too forgiving us our wrongdoings and purifying us from all corruption.”
This Bible verse says that if we confess our sins, God will forgive us and cleanse us from the bad results of unrighteousness. Remember how corruption brought death to our bodies in the garden of Eden? Thus, forgiveness can promote physical health. Forgiveness has been linked with lower stress, anxiety, and depression levels. It can also lead to improved sleep, decreased blood pressure, and a stronger immune system.
Ephesians 4:32
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
This verse tells us to be kind and forgiving to others, just as God has forgiven us. It’s a reminder that we need to let go of the anger and bitterness we may feel towards someone who has hurt us and show them compassion and mercy instead.
Forgiving those who have wronged us sets us free from the negative emotions that can consume us. It’s a way of showing God that we trust Him to handle the situation and bring about justice even if it’s not in the way or timeframe we would prefer.
The Next Step is Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:18
And everything is of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the service of reconciliation; ”
2 Corinthians 5-19
“Indeed, God was in Christ, reconciling the world regardless of their trespasses against them, and has committed the word of reconciliation unto us.”
In Christianity, reconciliation is the process by which sinners are restored to fellowship with God. This restoration is made possible by the atoning death of Jesus Christ, resulting in the forgiveness of sins.
After forgiving, the journey does not end there. It would be best if you reconciled to maintain the previous friendship. Reconciliation is beautiful as it brings hope, joy, and peace into our lives. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
If God has forgiven you, you must extend that same forgiveness to others. It is a way of restoring relationships and rebuilding trust. I advocate restitution, in which someone is rewarded in some way. It can be way of making things right and restoring balance to the relationship.
Finally, forgiveness is beneficial because it sets an example for others. When we forgive, we are showing grace and mercy. We also demonstrate that we have faith in God’s ability to work things out for our good (Romans 8). As we model forgiveness, we can also help lead others into the right relationship with God.
Pray This Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you, our everlasting Father, for giving us this grateful day. Thank you to my friends and family that I have. I come to You today asking for Your help. I need Your strength to forgive those who have wronged me.
Forgiving others is not easy, but I know it is what You require of us. I trust that You will give me the grace and wisdom I need to take this step. Thank you for loving me and wanting what is best for us.
Dear God, I know forgiveness is important to you and crucial to our relationship. You turned your son towards you because of your love and grace. Please help me see the benefit of forgiving others, even when it’s difficult.
Help me let go of anger and bitterness so I can move on with my life. I thank you for the gift of forgiveness and ask that you assist us in making good use of it. In Jesus’ name, I pray and give thanks. Amen.