Forgiveness or eat your anger, which will it be? Since you get to choose, which will it be?
Last week, I found this “Tips on Forgiving” stuck in my notebooks. Don’t know where it came from, but it’s wonderful advice. Since a lot of us, me included eat our anger, I thought this paper on forgiving would be good for us to chew on.
In order to make it easier for you to read, I retyped it. After you read each each line, stop and think, “How does this apply to me?” Then ask God to show you. After all, getting free from unforgiveness also can free us from compulsive overeating, especially due to unresolved anger.
-TIPS ON FORGIVING-
- Know that forgiveness is not forgetting.
- Know that forgiveness is a choice.
- Know that you have to acknowledge the pain.
- Know that forgiveness is incomplete unless you feel it; you must forgive them from your heart.
- Know that you cannot wait until you “feel like it”; you never will.
- Know that it is not about feelings; it is about freedom.
- Know that God will bring out what needs to be forgiven- if we let Him.
- Know that sometimes we are not MAD; we are sad and we need to process that.
- Know that it is natural to seek revenge; yet as believers, forgiveness is required.
- Know that He has already helped you to forgive- you do not need to ask again.
- Know that it is a hard choice to forgive- a choice of the will.
- Know that once you forgive- you can never again use it against them.
- Know that no one forgives without bearing the burden of the sin of the offender.
- Know that forgiveness is not for their sake; it is for your sake.
- Know that their response to your forgiveness is not the issue.
- Know that sometimes it is better to keep this forgiveness to yourself- they might not understand it.
- Know that you can forgive, because you have been forgiven.
- Know how to forgive much and ask forgiveness more.
- Know that to forgive yourself is to final realize that He really does love you.
This little card with the butterfly and angel pinned to it was a gift form two of my grandaughters. I love it. Enjoy the message.
Also below is a picture of a cross stitch piece of 1st Corinthians 13 bought from an estate sale.
The overwhelming message of I Corinthians 13 is all about love. After all, couldn’t we all use more love? Couldn’t we all give more love? In fact, it states that the greatest gift of all is love. Once you forgive others you are free to love, including to love yourself.
Isn’t it wonderful how God loves us? Certainly He never gives up on us , either. He forgives us, even though we don’t deserve it. I know I don’t. How about you? Have you ever asked for His forgiveness? If not, why not now?
Just talk to Him for yourself, “Lord, I’ve messed up. I know You died for my sins, and I believe You rose from the dead, so I could live too. Would You forgive me and help me clean up all the mess-ups of my life? Come live in my heart. Help me to live for You.”
His forgiveness will lift the weight off your shoulders. Your body size may stay the same, but your heart will be fuller and your step will be lighter. Let me know how it went.
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NKJV
