by Brigitte Sands

Created on: January 27, 2009

Scripture tells us if we are sinned against we must forgive up to 70 x 7 now thats mercy! If we do not forgive, we ourselvesaccording to scripture will not be forgiven because how much as God forgiven our sins,He is a just and holy God. There aremany in the world today that are suffering mentally and physically because of unforgiveness it takes so much energy to hateand be resentful.Where there is no forgiveness we are giving our power over to someone else and who are we to think we aremuch better then they to hold a grudge or resentment, this is pride and ego thinking, maybe not consciously but sub consciouslywe are so hurt that we want God to avenge us in a cruel way but God is loving and in time as scripture points out "Vengeance ismine I will repay"not as a human sees but from HIs merciful grace.The longer we hold on to unforgiveness the more it steals our peace of mind and that still small voice constantly reminding us tolove instead of hate.From a finite perspective we judge the types of sins against us and remedy the judgement in our hearts howwe see fit but God looks upon the heart and not outward appearance and knows all and most often hurting people hurt people.When we make a decision to forgive,or even ourself, it is a process, we do not feel it over night it takes constant awarenessof our need to forgive and the benefits of doing so comes with time.Who are we to sit in the judgement seat?No matter who or whatbrought us grief of heart we still have to process the hurt and forgive even if they do not ask for it,it is for our peace of mind and fellowshipwith God as we see Him that we must do so.Out of our mouths the heart speaks so the more we hate the more we will talk about the hurtbut when we make that decision daily to forgive and pray for that person to be blessed in all he/ she does slowly we will see a change inour thoughts towards that person,we will feel love,the agape love of God.Those who know to do right(forgive)and yet does not, to God it is sin but as we humble ourself we find the rewards for forgiving are:(1)God will forgive us(2)God remembers our sin no more(3)We are blessed,happy and fortunate(4)We are envied by others(5)Joyful and peaceful(6)God hears us(7)God is faithful and true(8)Lives up to His promises(9)Avenges our hurt in His time(10)Helps us love the person who hurt us(11)Good health(12)Mental healthSo what if we say "I do not believe in a God and do not pray" be sure to know our conscience will be our guide, in all thingsthere will be this inner knowing of what we should do and the outcome of making the right choice will cause us to continue tolisten and obey that intuition,we may not think thats God and thats ok for now in time the freedom of releasing that hurt from not forgivingsomeone will be so burden lifting like a ton of bricks of our shoulders.So its better to get over it quickly and move on instead of brooding overit but this is not how it goes always,there are lessons to learn when this chapter of unforgivness comes into our life and when the student is readythe teacher will appear.

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