THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”  – James 5:16

When someone hurts us, we become bitter or angry. It is especially painful when the hurt stems from our own children. Often times we find ourselves forgiving them over and over again and it feels at times like we are on a merry-go-round of forgiveness and we just want to get off the cycle.  God tells us in His word in Luke 17: 3-4 to watch ourselves, if someone sins against you, rebuke them and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day, and seven times come back saying I repent, you must forgive them. Forgive your child each time they have hurt you.  Jesus said on the cross before He died, for us, in Luke 23:34 “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do” This holds true for our precious gifts from God, our children.  If they or if anyone knew of the hurt, they were inflicting upon us, I am confident that most people would turn from their sin and not inflict their pain onto us. Hurt people, hurt people.

Forgiveness is hard, but yet is required for those who love Christ and are followers of Him. Otherwise we hurt and destroy ourselves in the process and we also hurt the Lord.  He loves us so much and wants us to be free.  We have the power to forgive and release ourselves from being the victim to the victor. Even though it will take perseverance, it is God’s command to forgive, and as Christians, we only want to please God. He will honor us for that.

If you are harboring any un-forgiveness this season than give it to God. Sometimes it takes time but we actually do not have to do the work. God will do it for us. Keep asking and pressing in to be set free and receive your gift of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a gift from God. He wants to take your pain and do the work for you. Receive your gift this Christmas of forgiveness, for who the Son has set free, is free indeed! 

We give Him thanks and we give all the Glory to God Our Father who sent His son to free us from our sins. Be encouraged and be forgiven. You have been washed white as snow by the blood of the Lamb. Merry Christmas and God Bless each and every one of you!

Love Christy

By Christy Carmen, Hurting Moms Leader – Dundalk, Maryland