The Beauty of Forgiveness

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

I have felt the vice grip of unforgiveness upon my heart, seen it on the faces of senior citizens whose expressions reflect the bitter, unforgiving lives they lived, and watched hardness settle on the faces of grown men with arms crossed over their chests, as if shielding their hearts. Unforgiveness is a monster, a life stealer, a deceiver. The truth is that no one deserves forgiveness. It is a mercy gift of God, freely given and freely received. It is not earned but paid for in advance by the Lord Jesus Christ. Once it is experienced, it sets us free.

It Is Written

PSALM 51:7-9 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter

than snow. ⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. ⁹ Hide

your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

The Mystery of Forgiveness

I have felt the cold, hard grip on my heart release and soften, seen the faces of saints whose expressions tell the story of a forgiven life, and watched grown men buckle and fall to the floor as they have forgiven themselves for what they believed was unforgivable. Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves. It frees us from the prison of hatred and injustice. Those bars are cold and hard. Forgiveness is a choice. It starts with words. 

Prayer

Lord, I forgive (person’s name) for all that has happened, for 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 these 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 other negative emotions.) So here they are, __________ and my negative feelings and judgments; I give them to You and I let go.

Takeaway

Forgiveness sets you free.