View Full Version : Learning to Forgive
LHCF2009
2009-07-23, 02:55 PM
I don't if this question as been asked here so please forgive me.
How on earth do you forgive someone that has hurt you? I've read the bible verses on this subject but I can't bring myself to do it. I mean, they hurt me so bad that I built a wall so thick and high, I don't think anyone will be able to penetrate it. I've tried moving on in my life but I see some of these same people everyday and it brings back those memories.
mrselle
2009-07-23, 03:31 PM
Forgiveness is so very hard when it comes to certain things. A person accidentally steps on my toe and I can forgive that person all day long, but a person lies to me….well that trust is broken and forgiveness is hard. I’m not even sure if I’m the right person to tell you how to forgive because I still struggle with this myself, but I know from experience that not forgiving someone is followed by resentment, bitterness, and anger. In addition to being resentful, bitter and angry I was unhappy and sad. I would snap at people and justify it in my mind by saying, “Well, that person just gets on my nerves.” I would snap at my husband and justify it by saying, “He doesn’t listen to anything I say.” It even began to affect my skin and my hair and my general appearance. I didn’t feel like myself. When I decided to forgive and move on and let God heal me from all the mess it was like everything changed in an instant. I felt so much peace on the inside. It was peace that I hadn’t felt in years. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I was happy, I had joy, I smiled more and I laughed more. I have been more patient with my husband and more loving. My skin cleared up, my hair bounced back and I felt like myself again. Every now and then those old feelings pop back up, but I think about the peace that I have now and I just don’t want to go back to that place I was in. Also, God showed me a glimpse of what my future could be like if I chose not to forgive. He showed me a person who has spent most of her life not forgiving people who have hurt her and I decided that I didn’t want to be like that. I don’t want to wake up 20 years from now and still be mad that someone lied on me. God knows the truth so why hold on to it?
authenticitymanifesting
2009-07-23, 03:43 PM
I don't if this question as been asked here so please forgive me.
How on earth do you forgive someone that has hurt you? I've read the bible verses on this subject but I can't bring myself to do it. I mean, they hurt me so bad that I built a wall so thick and high, I don't think anyone will be able to penetrate it. I've tried moving on in my life but I see some of these same people everyday and it brings back those memories.
I think about all of the humbling experiences I've had thus far, all of the times I've disappointed someone, all of the times I've disappointed God, and every time I've been forgiven for something (big or small). Then I think about how many times God has forgiven me, ( even for sins I wasn't even aware of - b/c this is apart of my daily prayer) and how regardless of what I've done, despite my imperfections- HE still forgives me AND LOVES ME.
Everything else seems small when I compare it to the times I didn't know my worth and did things I know God wasn't pleased with BUT HE STILL LOVES ME. IMPERFECT ME.
zenith
2009-07-23, 03:48 PM
Forgiveness is something that you can ONLY achieve thru God's Power.
Trust me i have tried it in my way and it never worked.
Talk to God about it. Tell Him that you wanna forgive, forget and move on but you have barriers set up. Cry if you have to, wail even.
The weight will lift off you and those negative thoughts will clear.
You have to make sure that you don't go back into those thoughts esp when you see them.
Your heart will heal eventually and trust, you will not even be able to pinpoint when it happened, you will wake up one day and you will even try to remember the hurt because it will be so far taken from you.
I pray it will be well with you.
Highly Favored8
2009-07-23, 06:25 PM
Forgiveness is something that you can ONLY achieve thru God's Power.
Trust me i have tried it in my way and it never worked.
Talk to God about it. Tell Him that you wanna forgive, forget and move on but you have barriers set up. Cry if you have to, wail even.
The weight will lift off you and those negative thoughts will clear.
You have to make sure that you don't go back into those thoughts esp when you see them.
Your heart will heal eventually and trust, you will not even be able to pinpoint when it happened, you will wake up one day and you will even try to remember the hurt because it will be so far taken from you.
I pray it will be well with you.
You hit right on the head.:yep:
Prudent1
2009-07-24, 11:26 AM
LHCF2009,
I'm sorry they hurt you. :rosebud: :sad: Sometimes life can be so unfair. The people closest to us are the ones who should be the most sensitive to our needs but the very nature of our relationship to them allows us to be vulnerable emotionally to them. The ladies here are all correct. In addition to the wonderful advice you've received I will say that sometimes the process of allowing God to do a work only he can do takes time. We have to learn to forgive though b/c unforgiveness is like you taking poison and sitting back watching the other person waiting for them to die.:nuts: Here is a prayer I want to share with you.
:bighug:
Prudent1
Forgiveness of Others Prayer
Heavenly Father, I forgive anyone who has ever wronged me or hurt me or cursed me or lied to me or prayed witchcraft prayers over me and I bless them in the Name of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father I ask You to forgive me for any unforgiveness, any bitterness, any anger, any strife,
for any animosity, and any resentment that I have in my heart toward anyone at this time, in Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Shimmie
2009-07-24, 11:40 AM
Forgiveness is so very hard when it comes to certain things. A person accidentally steps on my toe and I can forgive that person all day long, but a person lies to me….well that trust is broken and forgiveness is hard.
I’m not even sure if I’m the right person to tell you how to forgive because I still struggle with this myself, but I know from experience that not forgiving someone is followed by resentment, bitterness, and anger.
In addition to being resentful, bitter and angry I was unhappy and sad. I would snap at people and justify it in my mind by saying, “Well, that person just gets on my nerves.” I would snap at my husband and justify it by saying, “He doesn’t listen to anything I say.” It even began to affect my skin and my hair and my general appearance. I didn’t feel like myself.
When I decided to forgive and move on and let God heal me from all the mess it was like everything changed in an instant. I felt so much peace on the inside. It was peace that I hadn’t felt in years. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I was happy, I had joy, I smiled more and I laughed more. I have been more patient with my husband and more loving. My skin cleared up, my hair bounced back and I felt like myself again. Every now and then those old feelings pop back up, but I think about the peace that I have now and I just don’t want to go back to that place I was in.
Also, God showed me a glimpse of what my future could be like if I chose not to forgive. He showed me a person who has spent most of her life not forgiving people who have hurt her and I decided that I didn’t want to be like that. I don’t want to wake up 20 years from now and still be mad that someone lied on me. God knows the truth so why hold on to it?
Mrselle, you are one of the most 'Beautiful' examples of a living witness of 'forgiveness' that I know of. I've learned a lot from you and it takes a real woman of God, such as you are, to have lived your life and still love and forgive.
So in answer to the bolded, you are truly one who can share and advise. Truly you are. :love2:
One day, I'll share how your strength has strengthened me. :yep:
Shimmie
2009-07-24, 11:50 AM
LHCF2009,
I'm sorry they hurt you. :rosebud: :sad: Sometimes life can be so unfair. The people closest to us are the ones who should be the most sensitive to our needs but the very nature of our relationship to them allows us to be vulnerable emotionally to them. The ladies here are all correct. In addition to the wonderful advice you've received I will say that sometimes the process of allowing God to do a work only he can do takes time. We have to learn to forgive though b/c unforgiveness is like you taking poison and sitting back watching the other person waiting for them to die.:nuts: Here is a prayer I want to share with you.
:bighug:
Prudent1
Forgiveness of Others Prayer
Heavenly Father, I forgive anyone who has ever wronged me or hurt me or cursed me or lied to me or prayed witchcraft prayers over me and I bless them in the Name of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father I ask You to forgive me for any unforgiveness, any bitterness, any anger, any strife,
for any animosity, and any resentment that I have in my heart toward anyone at this time, in Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Everyone of you are speaking so much truth and you are blessing me. :love3:
LHCF2009, thank you for creating this thread. You may not realize it, but you have Ministered much through your desire to 'forgive'. :grouphug2:
I have a family member, my flesh and blood sister, that I have to forgive for placing our mom's life in danger. She willfully lied to my mom's doctor, who in turn had her hospitalized and they placed my mom on medication which could have killed her.
My mom is fine, I found out in time to have the doctor's take her off of the medication and protect my mom from this happening again. Yet, it's hard to forgive, but only God can help me.
Thank you for this thread for all of the excellent advice and Ministry from all of you. You are all truly loving women of God.
mrselle
2009-07-24, 12:24 PM
Mrselle, you are one of the most 'Beautiful' examples of a living witness of 'forgiveness' that I know of. I've learned a lot from you and it takes a real woman of God, such as you are, to have lived your life and still love and forgive.
So in answer to the bolded, you are truly one who can share and advise. Truly you are. :love2:
One day, I'll share how your strength has strengthened me. :yep:
Thank you, Shimmie. You'll never know how these words have helped me today.
LHCF2009
2009-07-24, 12:56 PM
Everyone of you are speaking so much truth and you are blessing me. :love3:
LHCF2009, thank you for creating this thread. You may not realize it, but you have Ministered much through your desire to 'forgive'. :grouphug2:
I have a family member, my flesh and blood sister, that I have to forgive for placing our mom's life in danger. She willfully lied to my mom's doctor, who in turn had her hospitalized and they placed my mom on medication which could have killed her.
My mom is fine, I found out in time to have the doctor's take her off of the medication and protect my mom from this happening again. Yet, it's hard to forgive, but only God can help me.
Thank you for this thread for all of the excellent advice and Ministry from all of you. You are all truly loving women of God.
Thanks, it was actually really difficult to decide whether to post this thread or not because like I said, the memories come flooding back. It's great knowing there are others out there who feel the same emotions I feel because I thought I was alone. Even though I have my family (whom I'm extremely close to and thank God everyday for them), you all know how on the inside you feel like your alone. Once again, thanks :yep:
LHCF2009
2009-07-24, 12:59 PM
LHCF2009,
I'm sorry they hurt you. :rosebud: :sad: Sometimes life can be so unfair. The people closest to us are the ones who should be the most sensitive to our needs but the very nature of our relationship to them allows us to be vulnerable emotionally to them. The ladies here are all correct. In addition to the wonderful advice you've received I will say that sometimes the process of allowing God to do a work only he can do takes time. We have to learn to forgive though b/c unforgiveness is like you taking poison and sitting back watching the other person waiting for them to die.:nuts: Here is a prayer I want to share with you.
:bighug:
Prudent1
Forgiveness of Others Prayer
Heavenly Father, I forgive anyone who has ever wronged me or hurt me or cursed me or lied to me or prayed witchcraft prayers over me and I bless them in the Name of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father I ask You to forgive me for any unforgiveness, any bitterness, any anger, any strife, for any animosity, and any resentment that I have in my heart toward anyone at this time, in Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Thank you soo much, I have printed this prayer out to read everyday. It's funny, after reading it, I started crying and I don't know why :yep:
mzcris
2009-07-24, 01:14 PM
You forgive those who have hurted you...by Faith and through the Blood of Jesus
mscocoface
2009-07-24, 01:19 PM
Also remember that just because you have to forgive does not mean that you have to have those folks in your life, trust them, or even speak with them. You can remove yourself from the toxic situation but what you can't have is unforgiveness.
The forgiveness really isn't about the person who has hurt you it is about you and your relationship with God.
Prudent1
2009-07-24, 01:41 PM
Also remember that just because you have to forgive does not mean that you have to have those folks in your life, trust them, or even speak with them. You can remove yourself from the toxic situation but what you can't have is unforgiveness.
The forgiveness really isn't about the person who has hurt you it is about you and your relationship with God.
(Thanks so much for this point too Ms Cocoface!)
Sometimes in wisdom we learn after forgiving that it is ok to love from a distance.:yep: The bible tells us in as much as possible live in peace with all people (Rom 12:18). Some folks take that and use it as a crutch but I don't believe any of us here would do that. :look: I'm happy to have been able to share that prayer with you. Even though we may never meet on this side, God has us all here to fellowship with each other by design. Perhaps your emotional response to it was a sure sign that healing is already taking place. He is Jehovah-Rapha the God that heals us and he loves you! :sunshine:
mrselle
2009-07-24, 02:35 PM
The forgiveness really isn't about the person who has hurt you it is about you and your relationship with God.
Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself.
Prudent1
2009-07-24, 08:22 PM
Thanks, it was actually really difficult to decide whether to post this thread or not because like I said, the memories come flooding back. It's great knowing there are others out there who feel the same emotions I feel because I thought I was alone. Even though I have my family (whom I'm extremely close to and thank God everyday for them), you all know how on the inside you feel like your alone. Once again, thanks
We've all been deceived by Satan at some point in this manner too. He makes us feel like we are the only ones going through something or makes us ashamed of our less than holy thoughts/ feelings. You are never alone. We are many members but the same body on this forum and in this world. Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us- never!!
PinkPebbles
2009-07-28, 04:20 PM
Forgiveness is so very hard when it comes to certain things. A person accidentally steps on my toe and I can forgive that person all day long, but a person lies to me….well that trust is broken and forgiveness is hard. I’m not even sure if I’m the right person to tell you how to forgive because I still struggle with this myself, but I know from experience that not forgiving someone is followed by resentment, bitterness, and anger. In addition to being resentful, bitter and angry I was unhappy and sad. I would snap at people and justify it in my mind by saying, “Well, that person just gets on my nerves.” I would snap at my husband and justify it by saying, “He doesn’t listen to anything I say.” It even began to affect my skin and my hair and my general appearance. I didn’t feel like myself. When I decided to forgive and move on and let God heal me from all the mess it was like everything changed in an instant. I felt so much peace on the inside. It was peace that I hadn’t felt in years. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I was happy, I had joy, I smiled more and I laughed more. I have been more patient with my husband and more loving. My skin cleared up, my hair bounced back and I felt like myself again. Every now and then those old feelings pop back up, but I think about the peace that I have now and I just don’t want to go back to that place I was in. Also, God showed me a glimpse of what my future could be like if I chose not to forgive. He showed me a person who has spent most of her life not forgiving people who have hurt her and I decided that I didn’t want to be like that. I don’t want to wake up 20 years from now and still be mad that someone lied on me. God knows the truth so why hold on to it?
Mrselle - your testimony has really blessed me.
I recently had to forgive someone that deeply hurt me as well as asked the person for their forgiveness towards me. The person was at first resentful to hear from me but I had to swallow my pride. As a result, I feel so much better now and can finally move on. The best part about forgiveness is that you are no longer stuck in the past and carrying around unnecessary baggage.
Forgiveness that isn't dealt with will display negative character traits in situations where you least expect it. This can perhaps ruin a good thing or block your blessings. But with the power of God He can help us get through this....
LHCF2009
2009-08-01, 10:38 PM
Hey Prudent1 :grinwink:
I've been reading the prayer you posted here for me and others and I must say that I'm slowly coming to terms with forgiveness. It will be a long road but I can kind of feel this peacefulness coming over me. It's working :yep: and I never would have known had you not posted that prayer. Thanks again
Prudent1
2009-08-07, 02:49 PM
Hey Prudent1 :grinwink:
I've been reading the prayer you posted here for me and others and I must say that I'm slowly coming to terms with forgiveness. It will be a long road but I can kind of feel this peacefulness coming over me. It's working :yep: and I never would have known had you not posted that prayer. Thanks again
You're welcome. Thank you for having the courage and wisdom to post your thoughts here. :heart: God is so good.
Angelicus
2009-08-07, 04:44 PM
OP, Let me talk to you about forgiveness.
I had a really bad breakup which made me move my belongings in storage. I gave the key to a trusted friend and told her that her family could take what furniture she needed, and nothing more. I also put it in writing.
They, instead, took everything, even personal documents (the storage unit, 5x15 was empty). When I asked for only my personal documents back, the family acted nasty toward me. They now have access to my SSN, my birth certificate, and my car's title.
A few people saw my blog about me being "Doctor A. to the sick" but God was not satisfied with me because I had not forgiven what my former friend did. He would not let me operate at 100% of my calling without forgiving these people that stole my life.
You know what... I forgave them today. 5 minutes ago. I wrote them an email that pretty much said "Never mind, it's okay. Just shred everything." I will never speak to them again but my heart is at peace now. No arguing needed. I know that God will not let me enter His Kingdom with a hard heart. He deserves the glory, not hate and fear.
Only the father can take away your wall of fear and hate!
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