Forgiveness Equals Freedom

By Paula Williamson guest writer

Someone needs to hear this today! I have been on the receiving end of an unforgiving heart far too many times in my life. You know the feeling, that vice gripping your heart and squeezing the life out of it, your mind consumed with thoughts and lists of what someone did to you over and over. Unforgiveness is emotionally and physically draining for the one who carries it. The issue of forgiveness is not about whether what someone did is forgivable. Forgiveness frees me from letting that person live rent-free in my body for the rest of my life. I’ve heard it said, "Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the abuser to die." That’s not going to happen!

It Is Written

MATTHEW 6:14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Forgiveness Sets Us Free

As long as unforgiveness lives in us, we are the prisoner, and the abuser goes free! Once we forgive, we are set free, and God can deal with them. How? Here are the steps toward freedom!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I forgive _______________ for all that has happened and all that has gone on. I forgive myself for the parts I may have played. I ask You, Lord, to forgive me. I take ______________ and any negative or tormenting feelings and unforgiveness that I carry toward them, and I put them into my hands (cup your hands together). Any hurt, bitterness, resentment, anger, offense, feelings of abandonment, betrayal, neglect, rejection, deception, manipulation, control, or judgments. (Name any others that come to mind.) So here they are, Lord; ________________ and all my negative feelings and judgments; I give them to You and I let go. (Lift your hands up to Jesus and give them to Him; let them go. If we give them to Jesus, He will take them every time.) 

1 PETER 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Takeaway

Forgiveness frees you!