Dear Friend,
We've all heard that forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves. When we forgive, it's rarely for the other person, but the act frees us. It releases us from the toxicity that unforgiveness breeds, such as disease and dis-ease. It also helps us live peacefully without the nagging memory of being wronged. Essentially, it gifts us back our peace, freedom, and hope.
On the one hand, I know that sounds rosy and cutesy. On the other hand, in reality, forgiveness is complicated and messy. When we forgive, we give up our right to settle the score. We give up our gavel of judgment and exchange it for mercy. We give up what appears to be our power, but that's not the case at all.
When we forgive, we step into a greater place of possibility.
So, what's next after forgiveness?
Let Go of Control:Â Forgiveness requires surrender, and surrender is an act of faith.
By forgiving, you trust God to bring justice in His way, not yours. But once you've forgiven, don't fall back into the trap of trying to control the situation or the outcome. Release the person, the pain, and even your expectations into God's hands. Remember, forgiveness doesn't guarantee the relationship will be restored or that you'll ever receive an apology, but it does guarantee your freedom. Let God handle the rest.
Guard Your Heart:Â Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
After you forgive, guarding your heart against bitterness creeping back in is essential. Unforgiveness often comes knocking again, trying to convince you that you made a mistake by letting go. Don't let it back in. Stay in a posture of prayer and surrender, asking God to protect your heart and continue healing you.
Walk in the New Freedom:Â One of the greatest rewards of forgiveness is the freedom that comes with it.
When you release the burden of unforgiveness, you make room for God to move in your life in new ways. Past hurts no longer weigh you down, and this newfound lightness allows you to pursue new opportunities, relationships, and blessings.
Keep in mind that unforgiveness was like a chain holding you back; now that it's gone, you can step boldly into new realms of possibility. This freedom is fertile ground for growth, creativity, and purpose.
Stay Humble and Open to Grace: forgiveness is a journey, not a one-time act, so you may need to forgive the same person or situation multiple times as new layers of healing come to the surface.
Stay humble and open to God's grace through this process.
Recognize that just as you have extended forgiveness to others, you continually need God's forgiveness yourself.
Embracing this reality keeps you grounded in grace and free from the weight of self-righteousness.
Stepping into Greater Possibility
When you forgive, you open yourself to a realm of possibility previously closed off. Forgiveness is not just a release of the past; it's an invitation to step into the future with a heart unburdened and ready to receive all God has for you.
It's a shift from living in survival mode to living in abundance.
When you let go of the hurt, you make room for healing, growth, and creativity. You invite new beginnings, fresh ideas, and deeper relationships with both God and others.
Forgiveness is the doorway to a life of possibility, and once you walk through it, there's no limit to where God can take you.
My prayer is that you find the courage to step into greater possibility today.
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