For · give · ness :  The action or process of forgiving or being forgiven. 

What stops a lot of us in our tracks, when it comes to forgiveness, is the gray area in the middle of taking responsibility and moving on. More often than not, we find ourselves accepting the mistake and, inevitably, binding ourselves to the emotions that came with that negative moment or situation. Some people would consider the inability to move on as a ‘humbling’ experience, but, for those who invest enough energy into the wrong moments, a humbling experience can quickly become a downward and bitter spiral.

For example, I have plenty of mistakes under my name that are probably pages in length. There are some that I have successfully accepted and moved on from, while others are still taking refuge in my heart and sparking memories from time to time that leaves bitter aftertastes.

Bitterness is undoubtedly the HARDEST obstacle to overcome spiritually and emotionally. Looking back on the years where I held the weight of a bitter heart is saddening at first glance, knowing that I had every opportunity to let go of that dead-weight by casting my cares onto the Lord.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103:12 (NIV)

I was fed up with family members who gave a portion of their effort with the expectation to receive all of my respect and acted on those hyped-up emotions by building brick walls emotionally against future attacks. I would think about ways to not only block out the negativity, but ways that I could harm before being harmed, and this, my friends, was a major mistake on my part during my early teenage years.

I wish that acting on my emotions was not an option, but I hadn’t searched for Gods love yet and therefore didn’t know any other way than to protect my heart at ‘all costs.’ Over time, I’ve come to accept the things I’ve said and done and forgive those who have wronged me with open doors for them to come and go in my life without consequence—knowing that my imperfect self would want the same from those who I’ve also hurt in the past.

Forgive those who have wronged you, knowing that you would want forgiveness from those you have wronged. Share on X

I want to encourage you today, whether or not you feel bitter about a situation from the past or present day, to understand that true forgiveness is a process of accepting and letting go—with God as your pillar to lean against for support. He is not only here for us, but a prime example of unconditional love and forgiveness without consequence.

If God held onto the mistakes that we made, after all that He has done for us, how bitter would His heart be and how troubled would this world become over time as He grew more and more frustrated with our failures? Thankfully, we ARE forgiven and loved unconditionally regardless of what has been done and what will occur.

“Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Hebrews 10:17 (NIV)

This alone is comforting and motivating for me, knowing that all it takes to be free from certain strongholds is our desire to be free and the effort we put into moving forward.

Whenever I am going through my toughest moments, I like to consider a couple questions internally to help guide my thoughts towards a solution. A few of these are:

• If you held onto ______ for another year, where would you likely be emotionally, physically, and spiritually?
• Is your confidence being affected by not letting go of _____?
• Are you afraid of letting go of certain memories? Do they hold significance in your life?
• Although God knows your heart, have you expressed explicitly your desire to overcome ___?

It may seem juvenile to ask yourself questions, knowing that society has made it seem like ‘talking to yourself’ or reflecting on your own thoughts is ‘weird’ and something only ‘troubled people’ do. Just know that self-reflection doesn’t have to be known by anyone other than you and God. Doing whatever it takes to grow as a human being is far from weird and highly sought after by people who are at their ‘wits end’ searching for answers and inner peace.

Forgiveness frees EVERYONE involved. Share on X

 

I pray this post has been both encouraging and helpful. I am learning, day by day, how to accept my past as though it is a page of my story rather than an extension of who I am today. Of course, your past is part of your testimony and nothing to be truly ashamed of, but it does not DEFINE who you have become and therefore doesn't deserve to be bound to your spirit.

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Wishing you the best, 

- Miss Lynn