FORGIVE AND BE FREE!
Genesis 41:51-52.
"And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” 52 And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Genesis 45:3-11.
"3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. 4 And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
9 “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph: “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. 10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.”
Joseph, at seventeen years of age, was loved by his father Jacob more than any other of his sons, and he made him a robe of many colours. Joseph's brothers hated him. They conspired against him and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver, who then sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard.
Potiphar’s wife tried unsuccessful to seduce him, and when he rejects her advances, she cooked up a story and falsely accuses him and he was imprisoned.
Many years later, Joseph interprets a dream for Pharaoh and is released from prison and made the second most powerful man in the whole of Egypt. At the age of thirty (30), Joseph became the Prime Minister of Egypt. He got married and became the father of two sons.
One fateful day, Joseph found himself standing face to face with the brothers who victimised, oppressed, hated and sold him into slavery. He had all the power in the world to oppress, avenge, punish or to pay them back. But, he chose to forgive.
Joseph forgave his evil brothers. He determined that he would not be a prisoner of his past. And because he forgave, God made him to be fruitful in the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:51-52.)
It is impossible to reach and stretch for the future when we're living in the pain of the past.
Philippians 3:13-14.
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Colossians 3:13.
“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Psychologists generally define forgiveness as "a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of hatred, resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has wronged us, regardless of whether they actually deserve our forgiveness or not."
Being hurt by someone, particularly the ones you love and trust, can cause anger, sadness, confusion and other emotional wounds. But, if we dwell on the situations, grudges filled with resentment, vengeance and hostility can take root. We're commanded to forgive!
POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT FORGIVENESS:
1. Forgiveness is the act of pardoning an offender.
It is to release or let go of your right to punish another.
2. Forgiveness is an act of love, mercy, and sacrifice.
3. It is to let go of hatred, anger, revenge, frustration, disappointment, resentment, or other painful feelings associated with an offense..
4. Forgiveness is a decision. Yet, it’s not easy.
5. Forgiveness is not the same as condoning or forgetting the hurts.
6. Forgiveness releases God’s blessings and favour. Failure to forgive will hinder one’s progress.
7. Forgiveness is the soil in which godly fruits and divine blessings are cultivated.
8. Forgiveness does not require that the wrongdoer apologize or is remorseful. Neither does it require that they are aware of the fact that they hurt us. What the wrongdoer does or does not do should make no difference in our decision to move past it and begin our healing and restoration process.
9. Forgiveness does not mean that we forget the offense and it certainly does not mean that we need to stay in a relationship with the one who wronged us.
Though it can help repair a damaged relationship, it doesn’t obligate you to reconcile with the person who harmed you.
10. Unforgiveness is a poison.
Harbouring anger and hostility were associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease in a paper that published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2009.
Another recent study, published in the Annals of Behavioural Medicine in 2016, found that over time, increases in forgiveness are associated with decreases in stress.
11. Forgiveness brings the forgiver peace of mind and frees him or her from destructive anger.
12. Forgiveness empowers you to recognize the pain you suffered without letting that pain define you, enabling you to heal and move on with your life.
13. If the hurtful event involved someone whose relationship you otherwise value, forgiveness can lead to reconciliation.
However, reconciliation might be impossible if the offender has died or is not willing to talk with you. Still, forgiveness is possible — even if reconciliation isn't.
14. Forgiveness is not making another person to change his or her actions, behaviour or words towards us. The purpose of forgiveness is how it can change us — by bringing peace, happiness, emotional and spiritual well being.
15. Forgiveness is returning to God the right to take care of justice.
16. It is not letting the offense recur again and again.
Forgiveness is simply saying we're not going to tolerate, nor should we keep ourselves open to any form of abuse.
17. Forgiveness does not mean we have to revert to being the victim.
18. Forgiveness is a process, not an event.
It might take sometime to work through our emotional problems before we can truly forgive.
19. We have to forgive every time.
If you find yourself constantly forgiving, though, you might need to take a look at the things you are doing with the other person that makes you to be continually hurt, depressed, or abused.
20. Some people are mean, unapologetic. apathetic, and unreliable. They never will change. We need to change the way we respond to them and quit expecting them to be different.
21. Forgiveness is not based on what others do or not do, but on our attitude.
People will continue to hurt you. You can either look outward at them and stay angry daily, or you can begin to keep your mind on our loving relationship with God.
22. If those who wrongs you refuse to acknowledge, repent or ask for forgiveness, you still need to forgive them.
23. We don’t always have to tell the ones who wrongs us we have forgiven them.
24. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting.
It’s normal for memories to be triggered in the future. When thoughts of past hurts occur, it’s what we do with them that counts.
25. The emotional part of forgiveness is being able to let go of the resentment.
Emotional healing may or may not follow immediately after we forgive.
26. Forgiveness is not allowing others to take advantage of you.
27. There is a price to pay for unforgiveness.
28. When you hold on to past hurt, pain, resentment, and anger, it harms you far more than it harms the offender(s).
29. Replaying the wrong that was done keep us living in the past, thereby missing today’s beauty and sunshine.
30. Forgiveness brings you back to good physical and mental health.
31. Forgiveness clears the cobwebs of yesterday so that you can see the beauty of today.
We’ve all been wounded by the actions or words of another. Every person you meet has some emotional hurts, wounds and scars. Just because you don't see the wound doesn't mean it isn't there or hurting.
In some cases, pains and hurts are consequences of our own bad choices.
There’re some hurts that are difficult to let go. These can leave us with lasting feelings of hatred, anger and bitterness — even vengeance. Many carry around grudges, anger, and bitterness toward others for some offense committed against them. Yet, we’re commanded to forgive.
Life is like a dramatic play with several scenes and acts. Some of the characters in the play have bigger roles to play, some small ones. Some are heroes and others are villains. Some are good guys, while some are the bad guys. But all are necessary, otherwise the play will be boring and lacking characters. Hence, we must embrace every act that comes our way, learn one or two things from them and be ready to move on to the next act. The play must go on!
What Are The Blessings Of Forgiveness?
1. When you forgive you enjoy healthier relationships.
2. Your mental health improved tremendously.
3. You have less anxiety, less stress and less hostility.
4. You have lower blood pressure
5. When you forgive you have fewer symptoms of depression.
6. You immune system become stronger and better.
7. Your heart gets better.
8. You have improved self-esteem.
9. Your prayers are answered.
10. Your spiritual life improves tremendously.
Forgiveness is for our own growth and happiness.
What Are The Effects Of Unforgiveness?
1. Unforgiveness bring anger and bitterness into every relationship and new experience.
2. You become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can't enjoy the present.
3. You become depressed or anxious all the times.
4. Unforgiveness makes you feel that your life lacks meaning or purpose.
5. You lose valuable and enriching relationship with others.
6. Unforgiveness blocks answer to prayers.
7. Unforgiveness pollutes the environment.
8. It opens the door for sickness and heaviness.
9. You disobey the divine commandment to forgive.
How Do I Forgive?
1. Recognize the value of forgiveness and how it can improve your life.
2. Invite God into the situations.
Lay your burdens down. Pray for guidance and the grace to forgive.
3. Identify what needs healing and who needs to be forgiven and for what.
4. Choose to forgive. Take your time to process your anger and hurt.
5. Take responsibility for your part
6. Admit the pain.
Denying them keeps you from starting on the path to forgiveness, healing and restoration.
7. Tell him or her how you feel (use “I” statements). “I feel hurt/ betrayed/ afraid/ anxious/ grief-stricken etc.” Release the offender(s).
8. Refuse to get even. Pursue love.
9. Build a support network.
Stop being silent about the abuse you've suffered or are experiencing. Talk to a trusted friend, family member or even a counsellor about what you are experiencing.
10. Set new boundaries.
11. Forgive yourself too.
12. Make a bridge over it.
Release the past. Work through it. Stretch for the future and be fruitful.
13. Find the beauty in your present life.
Beloved, there is a new beginning awaiting you!
There are mountains to be subdued, and victories to be won. Perhaps, someone has offended you and today, God has convicted them and they are coming to you to seek forgiveness. Please forgive. The Almighty God forgave you without a second thought; please do the same for them!
If you have done the hurting also, please go before the ones you've wounded, and ask for forgiveness. God's waiting for you to act. It is a season of glorious new beginnings!
You have carried this pain for too long, now its the time to drop it.
You have wandered in the prison of unforgiveness for too long, now its the time to get out.
You have given Satan and his demons of infirmity permission long enough to afflict you, now its the time to be delivered and walk into the healing power of Jesus.
You have carried this excess cargo weighing you down spiritually for too long, now its the time to drop it.
You have carried the wounded, broken heart for too long, now its the time to bring it to God for a total healing.
You have walked around empty enough, searching for people and things to fill up the emptiness inside, God's aware of your heart's cry for love. He's telling you today, "come to Me, I will heal your broken heart, fill you with My love and put you on a journey of love again."
You're not too old to forgive. It's not too late.
It's time to let go!
It's time for a glorious new beginning.
It's the dawn of a new season!
It's time to reach for greater heights.
It's time for your healing to spring forth!
Your deliverance is overdue!
Forgive so that you can be free.
"Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19.
Prayer Points to be Delivered From Unforgiveness:
1. Father, I thank You, for sending Your Son, Jesus, to die on the Cross for me.
2. Lord Jesus, I thank You for paying the supreme price with Your Blood to set me free.
3. Let the Blood of Jesus that was shed on the Cross, be made available for me today.
4. O God my Father, give me the grace to forgive all those who have offended me, as You have forgiven me, in Jesus name.
5. O Lord, I give You my consent to drive out spirit of unforgiveness in my life, in Jesus name.
6. Let every root of bitterness in me be uprooted now, in Jesus name.
7. My Father, let every grudge, bitterness and resentment, l am harbouring in my heart, against those who offended me, be remove now, in Jesus name.
8. Father, give me a forgiving spirit, in Jesus name.
9. O Lord, as from now on, help me, never to allow the sun to set on my anger, in Jesus name.
10. O Lord, give me a conscience that is devoid of offence towards God and men, in Jesus name.
11. My Father, let every broken relationship as a result of offence, be healed and restored today, in Jesus name.
12. Every blessings that I have missed as a result of unforgiveness, I recover you today, in Jesus name.
13. O God my Father, mend, heal and restore my broken heart, in Jesus name.
14. Thou Great Physician, arise with Your healing hands, touch me today, in Jesus name.
15. Thank God for answering your prayers.
Endnote:
Forgiveness can improve mental and physical health. American Psychological Association. Source: apa website.
