Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! Matthew 18:21,22
Do you have a hard time forgiving others who have done you wrong? Well you're not alone. In a society that dwells on tolerance and diversity, it sure seems to me that people are way too easily offended these days and tend to hold on to those offenses. Many offenses are very petty, but others are serious and cause deep emotional wounds within the victim. One of the ways our mind deals with unforgiveness is to bury painful offenses deep inside our brain in the subconscious. If these are not dealt with they can lead to physical ailments and disease. The offense may be hidden or forgotten, but it still has lasting effects on our body, soul, and spirit. Unforgiveness, the inability or refusal to forgive someone who has wronged you, not only effects our body and soul, it will eventually eat away at our relationship with God as well. I encourage you to pray and ask Holy Spirit regularly to show you those who have wronged you. Forgive them out loud. Do this over and over if necessary until you feel a release. If some really painful experiences come up then seek help with someone who is qualified to lead you through forgiveness. Understand that forgiveness is the key that will unlock your freedom.
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14,15.
Pastor Frank Dodson