It Is My Choice To Forgive

At some time or another we've all been hurt by a close friend, coworkers and even family members. The circumstances leading to the hurt may have been in past years or recent. What do we do when the emotional pain is still so tender, the hurt so deep that we think that we can't forgive or can't take it anymore to think about it? What do we do when the mention of a name, a certain place, or the thought of a person cause such havoc in our soul that we found ourselves rehearsing the past events over and over? What do we do when after giving it all to the Lord, claiming that we have forgiven, we found ourselves at times under a surge of emotion leading to despair of fearing that we will ever be set free or reach and keep the peace we hope for?

I guess if we are hoping that all people must be loving toward us, we need to wake up and smell the roses. If we are thinking that we will never have problems or persecutions in this world, we are not reading the word of the Lord regularly and don't properly understand the warnings He gave to His followers in Marc 10:29-30 and John 16:33.

The Lord would not have mentioned in Matthew 5:44 to love our enemies, bless them that curse us, do good to them that hate us, and pray for them which despitefully use us and persecute us if we didn't have to experience these situations. What makes it hard is that we can often ignore acquaintances because they are people we only see occasionally, but what about the people with whom we are involved and see on a regular basis. Can we really follow the instructions in Matthew 5:44 with a pure heart?

I don't know how you deal with people in your life but I myself have to work really hard to follow the instructions of Jesus in dealing with the ones who hurt me emotionally whether intentionally or purposely. These ideas of loving, blessing, praying, doing good, and forgiving others sound really well to me. Since many of us struggle with areas of hurt and unforgiveness, practicing the following principles as stated in Hebrews 12:15 will prevent any root of bitterness to grow among people causing trouble and hurt in our lives. My head accepts them; but what about my heart? Can it follow through cheerfully?

It has also been hard for me to deal with these admonitions because at times I sensed things that one can't really express or explain plainly. In those times, when my mind goes into a real or imagined situations, I have to learn to follow Paul's advice in 1 Corinthians 9:27 to keep my body under subjection and learn to cast down imaginations contrary to the Word of God. I am reminded also of the words of Corrie Ten Boom when feelings of unforgiveness would come in my heart. They go: “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to discover that the prisoner was you.”

I have to constantly learn to recognize that the heart is desperately wicked and that from the heart comes the issues of life. I have to remind myself when dealing with people that the battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Also knowing that as a man thinks in his heart so is he keeps me in check and forces me to analyze my emotions in order to follow Paul's advice outlined in Philippians 4:8.

Next time you are dealing with some of the same issues I have, let these words encourage you: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Also beware of what goes on in your life honestly, know what the Word of God says, analyze situations you are dealing with openly, bring all your issues to Jesus continually through prayer and He will give you rest and make you whole individuals.

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus