Forgiveness – the Key to Freedom
During your forthcoming Sozo, it is very likely that forgiveness will play an important part. You may want to prepare your heart to forgive those who have wronged you.
Many people do not understand what forgiveness is, or they have a hard time forgiving those who have deeply wounded and hurt them. Feelings like “it wasn’t fair," “it was not right,” “how can I forgive, they do not deserve it” are very real.
If these responses sound familiar, and express how you feel, you should know that:
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Forgiveness does not mean that what they did to you was right
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Forgiveness does not mean that they “get off free”
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Forgiveness does not mean you give up all your right
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Forgiveness does not mean you should now be happy
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Forgiveness does not mean you now have to forget
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Forgiveness does not mean they are right and you’re wrong
Unforgiveness:
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Does not hurt the one who harmed you, it hurts only you
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Leaves you in a prison of torment
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Can cause you to have bitterness, hatred and anger
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Blocks the fullness of God in your life
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Extending forgiveness does the following wonderful things:
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You get to step out of the way and let God have a direct line to that personwho has harmed or wounded you
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You are relieved of the burden you have been carrying
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You are freed from a prison of torment
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It closes a door which allowed the enemy to have access to your life
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It allows you to say:
“I choose to give grace”
“I choose to let this person go into God’s hands”
“I am not going to be their judge”
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