Choosing to be free

Establish the cause of the righteous, for you are the righteous God, the soul searcher, who tests every heart to examine the thoughts and motives. God, your wraparound presence is my shield. You bring victory to all who are pure in heart. God, your righteousness is revealed when you judge. Because of the strength of your forgiveness, your anger does not break out every day.  (Psalm 7:9-11 TPT)

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:12-13 NASB)

I don’t generally like it when people preach (or write) on the topic of forgiveness. It’s not always easy to hear someone say (for the umpteenth time in my hearing) “You must forgive as God has forgiven you.” Often, if there’s something we have to forgive, it comes along with a good deal of pain. Who wants to enter into that pain? Not me.

But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love. (Ephesians 4:32 TPT)

Yet, when we choose to do the work of forgiving we are released from the capture of unforgiveness and from the emotions that go along with it. While the process of forgiveness may be challenging, its products – freedom from unforgiveness and obedience to God – are wonderful rewards. Once-upon-a-time I read a good book on this topic called “Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve” by Lewis Smedes which gave me some help in the forgiving process. If you struggle to forgive and release hurts, perhaps it would be worth the read.

Would you join me in praying to choose to forgive?

Forgiving God,

Your forgiveness knows no bounds. It is not limited, even by your righteous anger. Help me to be like you. Give me grace as I learn to forgive; heal me of memories that trigger painful emotions.

I will not be held prisoner by bitterness and offense. No matter what anyone has done to me, and regardless of how unfair or terrible it was, I refuse to live in torment. I make the decision today to live in the freedom purchased for me on the cross. Anytime I see those who hurt me, I hear their names, or a thought pops up about them, I will arrest that thought and give it to you. I will release forgiveness to them, even if I have to do it many times each day.

“I lay aside my right to be angry or hurt. Instead of feeling empowered by holding on to anger, I will enjoy the power of hope and joy. Give me peace in place of anger and pain. Help me see through your eyes those who’ve hurt me. Cause me to be victorious and free by choosing to forgive.”*

In Jesus’s name we pray, AMEN.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)

* Prayer from Prayers on Fire written by Brian Simmons and Gretchen Rodriguez