12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. I think it is definitely true that “Hurt people hurt people.” Because of Jesus, I believe that this is also true: “Forgiven people forgive people.” The forgiven ought to forgive. Here’s God’s path to forgiveness, summarized in a three-step process: 1. Forgiveness is a CHOICE. When it comes down to it, forgiveness is a choice. It’s choosing to take a step of faith and not to hold someone responsible for hurting you any longer. You can choose to remember that God has forgiven you and then to extend your forgiveness to others. Even if you don’t feel like it, you can choose to release the person into the hands of God, who is a righteous judge. “Right now (again), I’m choosing to forgive _____.” 2. Forgiveness is a PROCESS THAT STARTS WITH PRAYER. I’m not sure that it is a one-time event. What happens when they show up again? Or if they just show up again in your head? It is a process, maybe even a long one. Have to learn how to do it over and over again. And the heart of it is prayer. At first you might find yourself praying prayers that are not very nice, prayers of retribution and justice, asking God to “give them what they deserve.” But as continue praying, try asking God to bless them and come to their aide. Anything you can do to bless their life will free your soul. “Heavenly Father, you are holy and righteous. You are perfect in justice. I confess that I have not forgiven as you have commanded me to. Through Jesus Christ, I now forgive these people: _________________ (list names and what they did to you). I confess my pride and judgment of those people. Please forgive me Lord and cleanse me from my sin. Please help me to thoroughly entrust these people and the wrongs they caused me into your hands. I pray that your will be done in my life and in their lives. Please help me to no longer think on those wrongs , but instead to focus my thoughts on you. I invite you, Lord, into any painful memories I have concerning what was done. Please heal any wounds I received and help me to have your perspective on what
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. I think it is definitely true that “Hurt people hurt people.” Because of Jesus, I believe that this is also true: “Forgiven people forgive people.” The forgiven ought to forgive. Here’s God’s path to forgiveness, summarized in a three-step process: 1. Forgiveness is a CHOICE. When it comes down to it, forgiveness is a choice. It’s choosing to take a step of faith and not to hold someone responsible for hurting you any longer. You can choose to remember that God has forgiven you and then to extend your forgiveness to others. Even if you don’t feel like it, you can choose to release the person into the hands of God, who is a righteous judge. “Right now (again), I’m choosing to forgive _____.” 2. Forgiveness is a PROCESS THAT STARTS WITH PRAYER. I’m not sure that it is a one-time event. What happens when they show up again? Or if they just show up again in your head? It is a process, maybe even a long one. Have to learn how to do it over and over again. And the heart of it is prayer. At first you might find yourself praying prayers that are not very nice, prayers of retribution and justice, asking God to “give them what they deserve.” But as continue praying, try asking God to bless them and come to their aide. Anything you can do to bless their life will free your soul. “Heavenly Father, you are holy and righteous. You are perfect in justice. I confess that I have not forgiven as you have commanded me to. Through Jesus Christ, I now forgive these people: _________________ (list names and what they did to you). I confess my pride and judgment of those people. Please forgive me Lord and cleanse me from my sin. Please help me to thoroughly entrust these people and the wrongs they caused me into your hands. I pray that your will be done in my life and in their lives. Please help me to no longer think on those wrongs , but instead to focus my thoughts on you. I invite you, Lord, into any painful memories I have concerning what was done. Please heal any wounds I received and help me to have your perspective on what
664213_2016.10.02.JesusMakesADifference.Forgiveness.docx