The Burden of Unforgiveness
One of the greatest stumbling blocks to our advancement in life is an unforgiving heart. Many of us do not realise the damage we are inflicting upon ourselves by holding grudge in our hearts against others because they have offended us. What good is it doing to us? Unforgiveness is like a cancer eating away at our lives. It is that feeling of resentment and bitterness that suppresses love and stirs up vicious emotions against others. Who knows? It may well be the cause of ulcers in the stomach.
Anger and resentment
I had been taught from childhood that if I wanted to be forgiven then I must first forgive, but that did not make a great impression on my mind.
There were times when I was offended by others and found it hard to forgive. I could not forget nor could I completely forgive the wrongs that were done to me. I said that I did forgive but each time I remembered the offense, a pang of anger and resentment accompanied it and I realized that I had not truly forgiven even though I had offended others also. How was I to overcome that unforgiving feeling?
Bound by the enemy
I struggled with it for some time and one day it dawned on me that the enemy had used both the offenders and myself to fulfill his purposes: He had used them to exasperate me, and had used me to build up bitterness and resentment so as to fester unforgiveness in my heart; and we all were victims of his tactics.
Set free
A great sense of pity overwhelmed me - not only for them but for myself as well. I considered the matter carefully and realised that I was only hurting myself by holding a grudge in my heart while the offenders were unaware of my perturbed mind and were merrily going along enjoying life to whatever extent.
It was then that I realised how much I had foolishly let the enemy use unforgiveness to control my life, and from that moment I said, ‘Not any more!’
It was time for me to let them know that I had truly forgiven them. I gladly and forcefully cast those bitter, resentful feelings out of my mind and I felt as though a great load was lifted from my shoulders. Since then, whenever a matter comes to mind, I can no longer entertain it with bitterness in my heart..What a relief!
A simple advice
If you are burdened with unforgiveness, while there is yet time eradicate it! Don't let it fester and steal the joy of your life. You are only hurting yourself because your adversary the enemy is using you as a tool for his purposes. Remember that every person must one day depart; and after the cord of life is broken it is impossible to forgive those who have hurt you or be forgiven by those whom you have hurt. So, free yourself from bitterness and resentment.
FORGIVE TODAY!!
Recent Comments
21
As I have grown over the years I find myself more forgiving and not holding a grudge. Life is too short and this is just exhausting too much mental energy and not remaining positive.
Thank you for sharing.
Kim
You are so right. Instead of holding a grudge in your heart, use your mental energy to be a blessing to others while you enjoy peace of mnd.
Forgiving is not the easiest thing to do in many circumstances, but I'm a firm believer in that it does more for the forgiver than for the forgiven. Great advice here!
Sounds easy in theory and hard to follow in practice but anyway we must do our best to forgive though it is not always achievable
Hi Rufat
Your comment speaks volumes! It tells me that you have a real problem forgiving others and that there is someone you need to forgive. Are you so bitter and resentful that you find forgiveness unachievable? Have you ever offended anyone? I mean ANYONE! Don't you want to be forgiven?
Don't let bitterness, hatred and resentment consume you. If you harden your heart, forgiveness will never be achievable. FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN!!
Thank you for your comments. I always try to forgive but when I say something I always try to be Honest and Practical. Can you forgive someone who killed innocent children?? I don't think he should be forgiven!!
I cannot agree to, support or condone such crimes; neither can I forgive the perpetrator because it is not within my power to forgive someone who has wronged someone else.
We can only forgive those who have offended us personally. Forgiveness of an offense done to someone by someone else is THE SOLE PREROGRATIVE OF THE ALMIGHTY.
See more comments
Great post Jem! Very important to forgive as the bitterness manifests itself into bad health.
Thank you, Kevin. Who needs bad health?