Forgiveness is not an emotion, it’s a choice. When you make the decision to forgive, it doesn’t mean that all the hurt is gone. But once you decide that you’ll forgive, then you allow Me to work in your heart.
To forgive is a step toward freedom and away from the weight of resentment that hurts you and can hurt others. When you carry around hurts that you haven’t forgiven, that weight can crush you and eventually destroy your emotional health and control your life. Letting go of the hurt may be one of the most difficult things you need to do, but you are the one who benefits the most from doing so.
I can set things straight, work in others’ lives and change them—and that will help them, but it won’t help you. I call you to forgive those who have wronged you, because I want to relieve you of the pain and the burden. I want to help you to let go of the hurt that brings sadness, anger, or grief. I want you to forgive, because I know that forgiveness is the path to freedom, happiness, and growth.
I see the peace of mind and freedom that will be restored to you once you make the choice to forgive. Save yourself from the continued pain, grief, and crippling that comes from holding on to hurtful experiences, and leave them with Me to take care of in the way that I know is best. As you take that step of forgiveness by faith, I will bring the healing that you desire.