First Aid For an Injury: Forgiveness

Forgiveness. It’s so difficult because there is injury. We have been wounded by the actions of another or maybe even inflicted injury upon our own self.

Since there is an injury, it needs to be attended to quickly or it will become even more of a danger to us because it will get infected and lead to even more pain.

So go get the first aid kit! And get out the FORGIVENESS!

Forgiving yourself. I used to hold on to things that I did, and others did…that hurt me. I was the world’s best grudge holder, not a good title to have! As I began to seek the face of God, He showed me that He forgave me and I could forgive myself. That was MONUMENTAL for me, because I hated myself for so long and endlessly rehearsed all of my failings that I had a huge grudge against Tiffany. Finally being released of all that old junk allowed God’s love to move into that place and as I read my Bible that spoke of the love God has for us…I began being okay with me—afterall, God LOVED me. I could kinda be okay with me too. Maybe that is where you are, I want you to see the hope you have…get into a relationship with God and start reading the Bible because it’s HIS word for YOU! And it’s a love story!

Now for the OTHER forgiveness. This one is just as difficult. Another person has injured you. Depending on the severity of the injury, it may have to come about in stages. First, you may have to ask God for the strength to forgive. Then pray and tell God you forgive them. Then ask God for HIS grace for the situation. In this, you are walking in obedience because in Mark 11:25 it says, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Next, I would pray for God to show you how and when to talk to that other person who has hurt you. If they have already passed, you have done enough by speaking to God about it. But if the person is still on this earth, and depending on how safe he or she is (sometimes it’s PHYSICALLY not safe to come in close contact), if that is the case- you can write a letter and send it without your return address. But if it’s a safe situation, prayerfully go forward. You can even start from the position of “Will you forgive me? I haven’t had a right attitude toward you since this or that.” You will probably disarm that person and perhaps they will even admit to treating you less than nice…and ASK YOU for forgiveness.

Maybe you need to forgive smaller things, like constant rude, demeaning or harsh treatment. In this case, just keep forgiving them…Jesus told the disciples who were wondering how many times do they forgive an offense? We find His answer in Matthew 18: 21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
If you haven’t forgive them and you are having wrong thoughts toward them it will be impossible for you to treat them right. And God cares how we treat others. Even if the other person is a turd. So forgive because your God has told you to do so, and it will free YOU from the sin that the other person is living in and trying to get it on you. Say NO WAY, I choose to obey God which means forgiving and I get the best deal out of the situation—I get forgiveness myself, I get freedom from that junk they tried to do to me and I get to keep my peace! What a wonderful reward for us!!!

Be quick to forgive and you will enjoy the benefits that God gives to you when you do!

Huge love,

Tiffany

PS: When a person was being a jerk, my cousin used to say, “If you are going to be a turd, go lay in the grass.” Ha ha ha! It cracks me up every time I think of it!