Oct 24 2009
How To Forgive Others
It’s essential for me to forgive others, just as God has forgiven me. It’s not an easy task, but it can be done, with God’s help. Here are some of the steps I can take:
- Reveal my hurt.
- Release the offender.
- Replace my hurt with God’s peace.
A hurt is no good if I keep it buried in my mind. I must speak it out to the offender – if not possible, to someone I trust, or write it on a piece of paper. Bring it out in the open.
Then just simply release the persons who offended me. I need to tell them I’m hurting because of them, and that I’ve forgiven them. One suggested way:
You hurt me this way, this way, and this way. But I want you to know I forgive you because God has forgiven me, because resentment doesn’t work. I will need forgiveness in the future. I am releasing you.
And I need to forgive all the time! (Matthew 18:21-22) When I think about them and they don’t hurt, that’s when I know I’ve released them.
Finally, God’s power is more abundance and effective than mine. I need to tap into it. My sheer willpower won’t do it. Only God can change hearts. I’ll do my part to forgive and release. God will work on my heart and those who offended me.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
Colossians 3:15
