Learning to Let Go
November 1, 2011
I've written about forgiveness before but I think it bears repeating since it's so difficult to do.
For me it seems each time I feel offended or wronged in some way, I am tempted to revel in the pride of having something over someone else. Even if that someone else is a box store with faceless employees…it just feels so good to hold a grudge.
Since I know I understand the importance of forgiving, I see the relevance it has in my life, and I know Scripture backs it up…why do I still struggle each and every time I'm called upon to forgive?
I'm convinced I'm not alone in my struggle. Chuck Swindoll in his message Being Big Enough to Forgive says he still deals with forgiveness regularly.
He also notes forgiveness needs to come at the offence level or things will get out of hand—offence leads to resentment, hatred, grudge, and finally revenge.
“Every week I have to come to terms with not letting that offence not take one step down to resentment. I have to deal with it at the offence level or I'm a gonner. Sometimes those kind of things just roll off like water down a little slide and you're all the way to the bottom towards revenge before you even realize it.”
Forgiving is hard work, that doesn't change. But you must do it each time you're confronted with it or you will miss out on true freedom. Here's how I put it before:
Forgiveness is an act of will more than it is a warm-fuzzy feeling. And it's something we'll have to do over and over again in our lives if we want to live in a way that is pleasing to God and will bring us physical, emotional, and spiritual health. It's not easy to do, but you will never regret forgiving someone—especially once you realize how much you have already been forgiven (think of Luke 7:36-50 and Acts 7). Once our attitudes are in check and our eyes are focused on the Lord, forgiveness is the next step in ridding ourselves of destructive grudges.
If you're wondering how to forgive, looking for some suggestions of putting forgiveness into action, or want to learn more about forgiveness Being Big Enough to Forgive is a message for you.
It's also our free mp3 download for November 2011. Download it today.
Related Resources:
By Robyn Roste
Read bio and see more from this author
