Chose to forgive!

I have been thinking about forgiveness a lot lately, and I started this piece with the above song, as it reflects my thoughts and prayers.

My pastor posted on face book a couple of days ago that some unknown person placed a razor under his tires and they got slashed. Instead of ranting and raving, he prayed for GOD to forgive whoever it was. I wonder how many of us would have done that. Pastor Ronald has always taught us to forgive, because as he put it, it makes no sense that you are sitting angry and frustrated, and the people who have hurt you are living their lives not even thinking about you.

A lot of us have been hurt physically, spiritually and emotionally by people close to us whom we least expected to, and to be honest it is not an easy task to forgive and forget, especially if you have been through a seemingly endless cycle of hurt and pain.

The English dictionary defines forgiveness as the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feeling and stop being angry or resentful towards another.

It is not uncommon for Christians to have questions about forgiveness. The act of forgiveness does not come easy for most of us. It took a long time before I was able to let it go and let GOD take control. We instinctively try to protect ourselves and loved ones when we have been intentionally hurt, yet at some point in time, we might have unintentionally wrong someone.

Many times we have hurt GOD by not praising, worshipping or thanking him when we should. We have ignored him so many times, blamed him for no justifiable reason when things have gone wrong in our lives, yet he forgives us every time.

A lot of us question whether to forgive is an emotional state or a conscious choice. My belief is that we choose to forgive based on GOD’s commandment. Colossians 3:3 say “Bear with each other, and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another, forgive as the Lord forgave you”.

Even when we don’t feel like it, we forgive by faith because we are obedient to GOD and we then trust GOD to do the healing in us to make us whole again. Jesus said in Mathew 18:21&22" Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” In the Lord’s Prayer, in part we pray “and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”.

Even though we believe that some of the things we have done in the past are hidden from everyone, GOD sees all and forgives us. Sadly, there are a lot of disillusioned people who are living in denial, who remain convinced that they can get away with anything, simply because as they put it “there is no GOD, he does not exist!” I want to give those people a reality check! GOD exists! GOD is real! And GOD sees everything we do and he forgives us when we repent our sins!

Because GOD who sees and knows our deepest hurts, pains and secrets forgives us, we can also choose to forgive others. I have chosen to forgive and forget, so that I can live my life in peace. Who knows, by forgiving others and letting go of all the heavy burdens we carry, there will be a huge reduction of stress, less anxiety and depression and a whole lot of love going around. This next song just shows that my past is behind me and i am moving forward!! Love it!

 So beloved, for your peace of mind, to live in peace, for your love of GOD and so much more, choose to forgive!