Forgiveness is as much a relationship issue as
it is a spiritual issue. Forgiveness is not a simple, easy process requiring
little effort or energy. A Gallup poll found that 80% of Americans believe they
cannot forgive deeply from the heart without God's help. A Christian
counselor’s primary object is to help people work toward forgiveness.
The objective of forgiveness is to free people
from bitterness, even when it’s rooted in justifiable anger. In addition to freeing
you from the grip of toxic anger and hostility, another objective of forgiveness
is to obtain a better understanding of yourself and those who offended you.
God’s objective is to give you faith which will save you from sin and
death.
It's incredibly important to realize the
relationship between deep-seated anger, lack of forgiveness and a person’s need
for unhealthy control of situations and people. Christian counseling provides insight and tools for exposing and
expressing anger within appropriate boundaries. God provides insight when we
earnestly seek it.
_____________________________
At that point
Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother
or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy
times seven.”
~Matthew 18:21-22 The
Message
If you, Lord,
kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is
forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
~Psalm 130:3-4 New
International Version
To sum up, all of
you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit,
not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing
instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
~1 Peter 3:8-9 New
American Standard Bible
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