Have you ever had someone hurt you? I mean really hurt you down deep, and you think no matter what they say or do in the future, you’ll never forgive them! I’ve been there and done that! Sometimes time really does make things easier, but at other times……it’s up to us to make the difference.
First of all – the only one you can control is yourself. You can’t help what other people feel, think, or do. You really can’t. They may not even be aware of your feelings! They may think you’re having a bad day and have no idea that you’ve been harboring ill will towards them for YEARS! You see, your feelings are not bothering them – they’re just bothering YOU! Back to line one – the only one you can control is yourself. Have you let hatred fester up in your heart?
Jesus said, following the model prayer in Matthew 6: 14-15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Uh-oh – does that mean me? If I want to be forgiven, then I MUST forgive? I believe that we can’t enter into heaven holding a grudge. Are you blaming someone or holding a grudge against someone today for something in the past? This is one of the things that we just have to give over to God, and trust that He, Who knows all things will make things right. One of the things that has helped me is to pray for the other person. Perhaps they just didn’t know better – bless their heart. Perhaps it was a moment of panic or weakness – bless their heart. Perhaps they didn’t even know that they hurt you – bless their heart. Are you going to miss heaven because you can’t let go? If so, then, I’ll pray for you. Bless your heart. God Bless, Courtney