Forgive - Set Yourself Free

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." 

-Lewis B. Smedes

What is your story? Think of a time when someone offended you. Think of a circumstance where an individual intentionally belittled you, causing great discomfort in front of others. Can you think of a situation where you were grieved to a point of pain? Have you been angered beyond boiling point by a friend or family member who invalidated you, and not knowing how you truly felt, never took the time to address the issue? Are you familiar with what it's like to experience mental distress by someone who has gotten so far under your skin that your heart rate and blood pressure have sky-rocketed, insurmountably causing chaos at every level throughout your day? Have you ever woken yourself up in the middle of the night with a cold sweat, tangled up in a deep seeded root of bitterness? Do you have difficulty releasing resentment?

Not too long ago, I found myself in a similar situation, stewing in some serious sin. Refusing to forgive. I had chosen to harbor feelings of anger and would not offer forgiveness toward people who had really hurt me. Choosing to avoid the elephant in the room was part of my dysfunction. I had masterfully masked my emotions with outward optimism. I could not hold the friendly facade (that was false) much longer. I don't know what, exactly, forced me to get in touch with the deep, dark depressive state of embitterment and lack of forgiveness but I distinctly remember being faced with a crossroad decision: Will I forgive?

Asking those who had cut me deep to dinner was not an easy thing to do. But I knew that not addressing the offences would cut me even deeper, resulting in a continued state of of bondage. I just simply could not live any longer with these feelings. Choosing not to forgive those who have hurt you opens the door to living in bitter-bondage, debilitated in a dark dungeon and cold prison cell. Facing my worst fears was my first step toward freedom. My decision to forgive would no longer be determined by fearful feelings and anxieties. Questions like, "How will they respond?" and "What if they don't accept my forgiveness?" no longer mattered to me. I was way too desperate to be freed from the unbearable weight of worry I was under. Sitting across the table, looking into their eyes and saying, "I forgive you" was the most liberating experience I have experienced in my soul. I had overcome fear with love. I decided to forgive and the power of peace prevailed. I was free.

"If you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (Mark 11:25 NIV)

God's Word both forgives and heals. It is only His Spirit that can mercifully heal the deepest and darkest places of past hurts and pains. Be encouraged to navigate through the chaotic currents of conflict in life with the compass of His Word. He promises total freedom and peace to all but forgiveness is key. We cannot receive freedom by forgiveness unless we can first give it. This is no easy task. Sometimes the people closest to you hurt you the most. Other times, the hardest person to forgive is yourself. Either way, forgiveness is crucial. Now is the time to put the past behind you and let go of hate and anger. Doing this is necessary to move forward and heal. Ignoring this point is like willfully letting cancerous cells take root and choke out all potential within. Nothing good ever comes from holding tightly to the offenses and wrongdoings done you. Terrible harm stems from grievances and scars are clearly seen when we're cut deep. There is always much to work through and heal from. The worst wounds can completely heal if we regularly release resentment, let go, and offer forgiveness. Now is the time to forgive - Set yourself free.

Together we can make it a great day!
Rev. Ryan Bunbury