Forgiveness

Forgivness…we don't forgive hoping that person will change and not do it again or hurt us again; we do it because it's what God does for us time and time again!

Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
            When we hold onto grudges and the lack of forgiveness invades our hearts, not only do we give the enemy power over us but we are also blocking our blessings from God.  Most times when we hold onto hurts, hate and resentment it's only tearing us down and the person we hold that anger or hurt towards isn't given you a second thought.  Lack of forgiveness leads to harden hearts and a harden heart puts up a wall between us and God.
            I won't even think to tell you or even try to convince you that forgiving someone who has deeply hurt you, weather intentionally or not, weather repeatedly or not is easy because I know it's NOT!  Sometimes we think we have forgiven someone only to later find out that we really haven't.  Often times we have to ask God to help us not to hold onto those feelings of hurt and anger and to heal our hearts and forgive that person again.           
            Forgiveness doesn't mean that we have to allow someone to hurt us over and over again.  Sometimes a certain door must be closed, but your heart must forgive them and still love them with the love of Christ.  This is a lesson that is very difficult for me personally; I tend to continue to be a "doormat" because I don't have the ability to walk away or to put my foot down.  I'm too worried about hurting someone by closing a door or putting my foot down so I tend to allow them to hurt me over and over again.  I pray about this often because I want everyone to see God through me and in me so I sometimes worry that if I close a door or protect myself then I'm not showing the love of Christ. 
            I understand that forgiveness is sometimes easier said than done and can often be a long and painful process, but to live the live God has called us to…it is necessary! So my prayer for us is that we will learn to forgive as God has forgiven us.
Be Blessed!