The Journey to Forgiveness

So, once again your boss overlooked you for that much-deserved raise; your mate betrayed you by cheating; your child disappointed you by running away from home; and your best friend talked behind your back and proved not to be a friend at all. What do these examples of hurt have in common? They all require our forgiveness in order for us to heal from our hurt. When we’ve been wronged, we must forgive, otherwise, we can develop a bitter root, which will build a wall between us and God. This is surely not what we want and God doesn’t want that for us either!

The lesson I learned from betrayal is that if I allowed myself to remain a victim, I would rob myself of the necessary growth in Christ, and His sanctifying work in me. If I remained stuck in victimization, despite my justifications, I’m prevented from the opportunity of taking an honest look in the mirror to see what part I might have played in the demise of a relationship or opportunity.

When it comes to being abused, hurt, or betrayed, if we refuse to surrender our hurt and pain to God, we risk allowing that person to abuse us again. Who else could release the healing power of canceling the debt that we feel is owed to us? Did they ask for forgiveness? Did they repent of their sin against us? If so, is it easier to forgive them than what we call “unilateral forgiveness?” Nevertheless, forgiving when the person doesn’t acknowledge what they’ve done, serves to free us from being crippled by their abuse.

In his book, Inside Out, Dr. Larry Crabb wrote, “We struggle as victims of other people’s unkindness. We have been sinned against. But we cannot excuse our sinful responses to others on the grounds of their mistreatment of us. We are responsible for what we do. We are both strugglers and sinners, victims and agents, people who hurt and people who harm.” We are trophies of Jesus’s mercy and grace and models for the world to see. It is possible to attain reconciliation and peace from what would have been an impossible situation. Do you believe this? Forgiveness is a MUST if we are to stay connected to Jesus and grow in His grace.

Let us Walk in His Way:

Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace, which guides me on the path to forgiveness. I know that I have the choice to surrender the hurts of past offenses to You in order to receive reconciliation and peace. I do not want to be held in bondage to victimization because of unforgiveness. By Your Spirit, “make known to me the path of life,” which leads to “joy in Your presence.” In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

by Corinne “Kinney” deHamel

author of “Walk in His Way” for

Carry the Light Ministries