"Surrender to Forgiveness"

“Surrender to Forgiveness”

TOP 10 REASONS PEOPLE FIND IT HARD TO FORGIVE:
1. Having been hurt to the point of no return
2. Believing keeping unforgiveness=maintaining power
3. Believing the other person (guilty culprit) is undeserving of forgiveness
4. Anger, bitterness and hatred have taken root
5. Being afraid of the unknown. “What happens after I forgive?”
6. Being afraid of being vulnerable
7. Not wanting to acknowledge or deal with the pain
8. Having a victimized mentality
9. Demonic strongholds
10. Simply stubborn

If any of the above reasons have been keeping you from unleashing your power to forgive, today is your day to stop making excuses and surrender to forgiveness. Col 3:12,13 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. You can’t afford to harbor unforgiveness a moment longer. After all, you have already been hurt enough! While you cannot retract the terrible act that was done against you, you can control how you respond. You have 100% power over how you allow the situation to shape your life from this moment on. By forgiving, you not only re-gain your power but you also dissolve evil and make room for more love and peace to reign in your life. Forgiveness says, “I choose to participate in God’s will no matter what”. By choosing God’s will, especially in the midst of adversity and pain, you are choosing to have a victorious life!

Forgiveness takes many forms; it can be as small as refusing to give the middle finger to the person who cuts you off in traffic or as big as forgiving a family member for slandering your name. However big or small, God’s mandate is the same, as Christians we are required to forgive! As the salt of the Earth, people are watching how you respond. More importantly, God is waiting for you to step out on faith and forgive today. Forgiveness is an action, having nothing to do with emotion. It’s a choice. Forgiveness is defined as the act of forgiving. To forgive is the act of giving up all claims on account of, to grant pardon and to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies. You simply make up in your mind you are going to forgive. Jesus Christ lived a life of forgiveness, even on the cross. Therefore, choosing to forgive brings you into a closer relationship with Christ. He understands the depths of the hurt and pain you are experiencing. All he requires is that you put your pride and emotions to the side and surrender to forgiveness. Stop fighting to hold on to pain. Trust God to do the rest and He will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies!

Pray this prayer with me:

Dear God,
I am hurt. I couldn’t have ever imagined being hurt this way. I’m angry and bitter. I admit to feeling hatred and even having thoughts of violence toward the one who has wronged me. I hate feeling this way. I know that your word requires my forgiveness. Teach me how to love and forgive my enemies. “In the name of Jesus, I forgive _____ for all the wrong they have done to me; I will no longer harbor resentment towards this person. Give me the power to be set free from the pain this person has caused me. I relinquish it to you right now in the name of Jesus. Thank you Lord for looking upon me with favor for my decision to forgive today. Thank you for showering me with your love, grace and mercy. I ask that you would dig up any remnants of discord, guilt, anger, wrath, violence or any evil that has taken root as a result of this situation. I will no longer seek revenge; your word says you will have vengeance over my enemies. I speak healing over my spirit now in Jesus Name.

Hallelujah! Now you have done your part. You have now made room for the Holy Spirit to continue to do the rest. Deliverance is yours today!

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR EXERCISING FORGIVENESS

FOR IN THE WAY YOU JUDGE, YOU WILL BE JUDGED.
OPEN YOUR HEART
RECONCILE BEFORE THE DAY IS OVER
GIVE THANKS NOW! YOU HAVE THE POWER TO FORGIVE
IT FEELS MUCH BETTER TO LET GO THAN TO HARBOR
VENGEANCE IS MINE SAITH THE LORD!
EACH NEW DAY IS A NEW CHANCE. DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON YOUR WRATH.
NEVER FEEL YOU HAVE FORGIVEN TOO MANY TIMES TO FORGIVE AGAIN
EVEN IF YOU DON’T FEEL FORGIVENESS IN YOUR HEART YET,
SPEAK IT; SCREAM IT OUT LOUD UNTIL YOU FEEL THE BREAKTHROUGH.
SEEK PEACE IN ALL THINGS, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matt 5:9