To Let Go Or Not? Series

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To Let Go or Not?

Introduction: Feelings of hurt and pain are normal parts of everyday life. We all get hurt for various reasons. Can you imagine the days when you could not work normally, you just could not eat well, you were so disturbed and probably even had sleepless nights thinking about the pain caused to you by someone close to you? These are all signs of hurt caused by emotional and mental suffering. Eventually, when we are hurt repeatedly by someone bitterness develops in us towards that person.

Well, today I would like to talk to you about what I believe is the most difficult thing we are asked to do as a Christian.

Title: To Let Go or Not? Series: Christian Discipline

This morning we are going to see why and how we are to forgive others. We will also see some examples of forgiveness.

Understand, people can hurt us in a million ways, and forgiveness isn’t always easy. Whether you’ve been cut off in traffic, accused by an in law, betrayed by a spouse, badmouthed by a co-worker, or abused by your parents, we are faced with a variety of situations that can hurt us. Ultimately it is you who make the choice of whether you forgive them or keep all hatred in your heart.

Why should I forgive?

a. I forgive because Jesus commanded me to forgive. Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

b. My sins are forgiven if I forgive others. Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

c. I forgive so that my prayers will not be hindered: Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

d. Forgiveness is good for my health. A study shows the following benefits of forgiveness: Decrease in anxiety, depression, grief, anger, negative thoughts, decreased vulnerability to substance use, decreased heart rates and blood pressure etc. If you keep vengeance and hatred in your heart it is you who is getting destroyed. The person who hurt you is happy as ever.

Lewis Smedes “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”

Yes we need to forgive the people who have hurt us.

How do I forgive the one who hurt me?

1. Confess to God that you have been hurt.

We all get hurt some time or the other by people. The usual response when we are hurt is that we pretend what she/he has said or acted against us has not really bothered us. We say, “It does not bother me, I don’t care a bit about it, I don’t lose anything.” These sentences come out of hurt within us. Until we are willing to admit that we were hurt by them, we are not in a place to forgive them. Confess to God that you are hurt.

1 Peter 5:7 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Illustration: Once, there was a brother who was upset by his past deeds and decided to confess all of his sins to his pastor. "Pastor, I am a thief." Pastor said, "Yes brother, close your eyes and tell me what all you have done and finally we will pray together for forgiveness." "Pastor, yesterday, I visited my friend’s house and he was alone. When he went to get a cup of water I stole his purse." "That's bad my brother, fortunately you realize your mistake." "Pastor, last week I went to the bank, but nobody was around except for the cashier, I threatened her and stole the cash." "That's not very good of you." “Pastor, last month I was walking and I saw an old man walking alone. He had an Apple I Phone. I threatened him and stole his phone.” But there was no reply from the pastor. "Pastor? Pastor?" With no response from the pastor this brother opened his eyes. There was no pastor around. So he began searching for him. "Pastor Where are you?" He searched high and low, and finally he found the pastor hiding under the table behind the drums. "Pastor, why are you hiding here?" "Sorry son, suddenly I remembered there is nobody around here except me."

Confess all your hurt feelings to God. God cares for you. Do not cover up. Come to a realization that you have been hurt and you need God’s help.

2. Surrender your right for revenge.