Forgiveness = Freedom

So I've learned a pretty big lesson these past couple weeks. I've just gone through an experience that left me pretty wounded and I was not wanting to forgive the members involved. For two weeks I woke up every morning and the first thing God said to me was "forgive them." Being a sinful and prideful human being I put my foot down and demanded that I would not. I needed to know "why" before I even considered forgiving them. But after experiencing God's amazing peace in my life for three months throughout the many trials and mountains that I've experienced I realized that for those two weeks I was not at peace. I was constantly thinking about how I would approach the members involved and tell them how wounded I was, but it would just cause more anger and unforgiveness in my heart. I was not experiencing the more abundant life that God claims that He gives to all who are found in Him. I knew what I was doing and why I wasn't experiencing peace and joy in my life but I kept putting my foot down. Finally, I went on a trip with the members and the tension grew in my heart until I finally "bursted". It was at that moment that God pushed my heart to forgive one more time. I gave in and forgave and instantly I was at peace and I found new joy - and my relationship with the members improved. But what's even more my Holy Spirit gifts were renewed and I experienced some pretty cool things - God used me and my prayers to touch other's lives. I hadn't experienced that gifting for quite some time and it was because I would not forgive.

I don't know what you've gone through in your life or who has hurt you but I do now finally understand how freeing it is to forgive. Forgiveness keeps the devil at bay - keeps the anger and revenge back - and allows for God to work through you in mighty and powerful ways. It's not easy to finally make that choice to just forgive, even if you don't understand everything, but I do know that you're life will be filled with peace and joy! I would really recommend forgiving - and forgetting - from the start of a situation. You'll become a pretty "mighty" person of God, and the devil will have a fit over it. Blessings!!