Forgiveness
In my novel, The Storekeeper’s Daughter, Abraham Fisher’s friend, Jacob Weaver, reminded Abraham that God’s ways are not our ways. He encouraged Abraham to pray for the person who had kidnapped his young son, Zach. Do you believe that healing can only occur when one forgives?
Do you find it difficult to forgive someone who has wronged you or some member of your family? What does the Bible say about forgiveness? Do you have some favorite scriptures that gave you insight during a time when someone hurt you?
One of my favorite verses that deals with the topic of forgiveness is found in Matthew 6:14 (KJV): Jesus said, “If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
It can be hard to forgive but with God we can do anything. Asking God to help me forgive someone is what I do.
I pray that God forgives me, helps me forgive myself, helps me forgive others and helps others forgive me.
Forgiveness is all about what it does for you – it heals the hurt, helps you to LOVE again. When you carry around the hurt, bitterness, etc, it’s like a monkey (or gorilla) on your back,and you can never forget it, or get past it. Forgive, and then you have FREEDOM
Beautifully put. I totally agree with you. When you carry around the pain, resentment etc… It just just weighs you down. Forgiving the person that caused the pain brings you freedom. Z
It costs nothing to BELIEVE, HOPE and PRAY
“Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner…:
I just thank my Lord and Savior that He is always with me in my heart and when someone hurts me I try to turn that hurt over to Him. It’s not always easy but He does comfort me and I know He is always with me!!
I read recently that we must forgive ourselves too. Forgiving others can be difficult but forgiving ourselves can be just as hard. But the Lord reminds me that in His Word we are to forgive. If He forgives us, then oh my we should forgive others. I’ve been convicted of that more than once.
Oh my goodness, your journal and your email this morning spoke directly to me. I too grew up for many years with no laughter or joy, my mother was addicted to drugs and men. She did not care much for me as a child. It took many years to realize she was mentally ill and to forgive her. Forgiveness may have been a gift to her, yet I know it was the biggest gift could give to myself. Also I love the reminder to find something to smile at each day. We are blessed with something to smile or laugh at each day, we just need to open our hearts to see it.
Thank you!!
I have situations that I have had to forgive over and over again. It is getting a bit easier with advanced age. I loved the covers of the Prayer jars trilogy. They reminded me that the prayer jars do not have to be unusual or special jars. They just need to be used.
Keep the faith! And forgive! Amen!
Forgiveness is a very hard thing to do, but I know God wants us to – for us! I have read many things about forgiveness, but it is always a work in progress for me.
As an older adult it is easier to forgive In my younger years it took awhile before I could forgive. I don’t think you ever forget but have to learn to let it go.
When you don’t forgive, you’re only hurting yourself. I find that, with God’s help, I can forgive BUT it might take a few askings for help, in certain situations.
I feel forgiveness is the only way to heal. We may never forget, but when we forgive we are free!
Sometimes we get caught up in our anger with another person. That we forget how much we truly do love and care about that person… I grew up in a dysfunctional family.. not showing any type of affection for one another..
I am getting married in 20 days… I and my family have not spoken in about 5 years.. I did invite them all to my wedding, but have not heard any response from them…
It hurts me. But I will not let them ruin my beautiful day!
Life is to precious…
Forgiving someone for what they did to me was the easy part.The hard part is forgetting what this family member did to me to hurt me so bad and understand why someone you think loves you would do something like that!I had to forgive them to take away my bitterness and find peace with it with God’s help.
Forgiveness is ‘a must’ if we are to truly do God’s will. Does forgiving mean automatic restoration of the relationship? In many cases, no it does not. But there are times when forgiveness serves to strengthen a relationship. Whatever the end result turns out to be, forgiveness is best. While you are forgiving someone for what you feel they’ve done to you ask them to forgive you (whether you feel you were wrong or not). You’ll be surprised by where that particular two-way street will take you!!
I had faced a major hurt, by a friend, over 30 years ago. I lost her, a mutual friend and both their extended families at that time. It took 17 years for me to forgive her, realizing that it was me that was still suffering, not her. Forgive, yes. Will I ever forget? Probably not, but that is okay; I don’t worry about it anymore.
Forgiveness can be very hard and at the same time very empowering. When we forgive, we not only set the offender free, we set ourself free. This was God’s intention.
The bible teaches us to love one another as God (of Jesus) has loved us! This is so true. I have a very good friend who is fighting breast cancer. She has already begun treatments but has a long way to go. We went to grade school, and high school together. I pray every day that she will beat this cancer and come out realizing how good God is.
I will be going down to see my friend this coming week, I have already sent her a cap to wear, as she has no hair due to the treatments.
God does not cause bad things to happen to us- and I believe that thru our faith- and whatever religion you believe that God will get you thru the tough times , be their for the good times. So I pray every day for my very dear friend- that she does not give up!
It took me many years to forgive my ex for everything that caused the breakup of our family. The hurt is still there and always will be, but I finally realized it was his issues that caused the outcome, not mine. My life is much better now and I no longer have the regret .
If we are to be like Christ then we must be forgiving. It at times cas be very difficult, but with God’s help and guidance we can do the impossible. I find myself asking “how today can I be more like you?” It helps to keep my focus on Him.
One of the things God has showed me when I have been hurt. Is when I am clinging to the hurt and not forgiving in my heart my hands are not open so that he can do the work. Anger, hurt are things used to justify my actions that are not pleasing to God. God says he will use it all for good. What the world uses to hurt us. God will use for good.
I love reading about the Amish life. I feel like I am there sometimes.
Forgiveness is hard for me. I use to forgive everyone and then became a doormat because I let everyone walk all over me. Now I have shut all doors to everyone. I don’t get hurt that way. There has to be a middle ground. I guess maybe I should pray about it and hope for an answer. Thank you for your writings. ❤
I use to find forgiveness hard but then it only made me sad. So I decided to forgive people meant that my life was a lot better. Cause my heart didn’t hurt anymore for the things people did to me. I always remember my mom and grandma telling me that forgiveness is for me not the person I’m forgiving. Good advice the older I get.
My Heart is very soft, when someone gets hurt, I hurt, I am the type of person I would rather be hurt, than hurt some one.I forgive people, but others don’t understand how I can be easy to forgive, I don’t want to hold a grudge on anyone. I have been hurt a few times, and it is hard, sometimes you just have to walk away, we need more PRAY and forgiveness in this life, life is to short and so we must have forgiveness in our hearts.?
forgiveness was hard for me but then thru faith in god and knowing he gave his son to die so we had forgiveness i found it is not for me to judge when He has forgiven me now i have peace because i dont let the negative feelings rule my life
Forgiveness can be very difficult, so i pray for God’s help to let go of the situation. It is much easier to forgive small things, than the larger more important ones, but I think to God they are all equally important. So, I try and try! It is important to just keep working on it.
Forgiving others can be difficult and hard to do.
Forgive others and then you will feel better.
Do you believe that healing can only occur when one forgives? Yes.
Do you have some favorite scriptures that gave you insight during a time when someone hurt you? Yes.
I love all your posts. God uses them to help others like me search ourselves and do what we should. Thank you!
I can relate to growing up in a dysfunctional home without laughter. I t wasn’t until I became a middle aged adult I could understand why my Mom was the she was, and I forgave her. We had a good relationship the remaining years of her life. She went home to be with the Lord in November, 2018.
Thank you for your books which I enjoy reading very much!
God bless you!
Forgiveness is best for all. The person your forgive and most of all yourself Forgiving others is what God has said we should do as he did. Holding anger and resentment I do only hurt you Wanda I love your story’s You are very inspiring.
Blessings to all here. Always remember to share your love, kindness, and faith. God be with you all.
your words awaken me. Forgiveness is hard, whether I try to forgive someone who has wronged me or my family, or for myself, when I knew I did something wrong, but need to ask that God helps me to forgive myself. I am struggling, my sister passed last October, because of Covid and my health, I could not travel to NY for her funeral. Now the beginning of October, they are having an unveiling of her grave. I want so very much to go, but, I don’t have the funds to pay for the trip and now my state of Florida is leading in new covid cases and I feel, NY won’t let me enter without being in quarantine. They Zoomed my sister’s funeral, but they didn’t show her casket being lowered into the grave, I know she is gone, but I don’t have closure, as I didn’t get to see her casket being lowered into the grave. I need to forgive my brother in law who has lashed out at me and my children in his time of grief.
I love all of your books I am waiting for new ones to be released!!
I find it hard to forgive people who have hurt my feelings in the past but , I think of a verse that inspires me!
I do believe that true healing takes place with forgiveness. Forgiveness can be for other people, but also for ourselves as well. Forgiveness is a choice and can be a difficulty journey. Half the battle is making the first step of saying that you are committed to pursuing forgiveness.
As I age, it seems that forgiveness is easier
for me. Forgetting, is a different story. Really like
anger, not forgiving hurts my soul…
Thank you, Cindi
Forgiveness can be easy or hard depending on what is needing to be forgiven. Sometimes I have to keep forgiving over again as I have found that I have not truly forgiven all areas of hurt. God asks us to forgiven as He has forgiven us and He has forgiven us a lot. I strive to be a forgiving person. That does not mean all is forgotten though because God does not intend us to be taken advantage of or abused. Praying and memorizing scripture is a great way to continue to be in God’s will and be aware of how we can address areas that need forgiveness amd areas where we need to as for forgiveness. These acts free us from the burden of carrying these wrongs. Oh how grateful I that God is so forgiving! I can never out forgive Him!
Forgiving is not easy. But I’m glad God forgave me through His Only Begotten son. I had a tremendous betrayal by my best friend 12 years ago and it has devastated me. Finally God has given me grace to forgive. I choose to believe that she was influenced by others although I know she’s personally responsible for her actions. God has finally given me peace in knowing that they will answer for the things said and done. I have to be responsible for how I handle the situation.
I feel like I have been blessed in so many ways and yet held onto a grievance for 2 months to let someone know how angry I was. The promise in Matthew 6:14 is so important, I need the confidence that God will forgive me my sins.
Forgiving is not easy, but it must be done not only to be forgiven by God but also to cleanse your own heart.
Your books are such a wonderful break, I listen to the audio’s I get from our library while I’m doing work around the house. I’ve completely given up on watching news & other junk on TV & just get lost in the books & love the scripture you put in also. Bless you for your writings.
Forgiveness brings healing to your soul and to the person yo forgive. There is nothing like feeling peace in your heart and soul. To live without having any hard feeling or animosity towards another person is a great relief !!
Forgiveness is a hard thing to do. We pray for God’s help and we are given the strength to do it.
Whether or not forgiveness is possible or very difficult depends on how serious the offense was. It is much easier to let a small transgression go than it is to forgive a serious action. I do believe that forgiveness is really more for the offended than the offender. If you hold in hard feelings, the eat away at your heart and soul. It may be difficult, but let it go. Any retribution due will be handed out by a higher power.
I believe this would be a very interesting and good series to read. I lost my husband of 24 year to to lung cancer. He was a fighter and an inspiration to me and said promise me one thing you will enjoy every day as we never know what tomorrow brings.
I had a friend that had hurt me deeply. I was angry with her and finally realized that until I forgave her I could not get over what she had done. Our friendship is not the same but we are still friends. She is struggling with health issues and I pray for her healing every day. Some people find that they don’t get over something and do not realize that they have not forgiven the other person.
My heart and mind are clear now that I have forgiven her for what she had done.
I would find this book very appealing. The scripture verse that really helped me when I found it terribly hard to forgive someone was Luke 23:34 “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” I’ve had to repeat this verse many times over the years.
Forgiving someone who hurts your child is so hard. But for your own peace of heart you have to. God didn’t say it would be easy but with Him all things are possible.
Hi,
I love all your books, they are inspiring and help me understand the Amish culture. My family and I have been to Holmes County OH about 10 times since last summer. and will be going at least 2 more times this year. The area gives me a sense of calm..it is my happy place.. I love The Berlin area so much that I am thinking about moving there next summer.
Debi H.
Pittsburgh, PA
Forgiveness is a difficult thing to do. It’s not easy. I had to forgive someone who hurt me as a baby. I had to forgive that person, even though I will struggle what they did to me, the rest of my life.
I believe that when you forgave someone you feel lighter. Like a great load came off your back.
Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Would love to read your book and entered in the contest! The Lord lets us know forgive as he has forgiven us Thank you for the wonderful post on your journal Have a Blessed week!
In my middle age years I find that I would rather forgive and move on and leave it in God’s hands. I have to many other worthwhile things to put my energy into. Let go and let God.
I am finding myself asking the the Lord to help me control my temper around friends. Just because I do not see thing s as they do …they are not wrong but themn neither am I. I do beleve in that we must forgive to be forgiven. I am not sure which passage it is but I remember “Love one another as I have loved you.” That may also be implied if we forgive someone then we will be forgiven.
I try to think what Jesus would do. I know he would forgive.
Marilyn
To forgive is hard at times but it should be done.
Joan
I want to forgive others but at times it is hard to do.
Marion
The Lord tells us that forgiveness is healing. The person feels nothing g but the hurt and anger feeds on your soul pulling you away from our Father
Forgiveness is hard. You have to to get right with GOD and to escape the bitterness
For a long time, forgiveness and thinking HOW CAN YOU FORGIVE? what they did….was the hardest thing for me to imagine….how to do it? But over the years I have read my Bible passages and notes in books or posts from Christian women and men….and how it is really for me…for us…we need to forgive to allow ourselves to let GO of bitterness, hate, yes hate sometimes…and it really is for our betterment….ourselves…. if we dont “let go” it will consume us …and yes because we are “supposed” to do so…
Often time the pain is so severe that it is hard to imagine forgiving someone. That is when we have to try our best to see that all sin is the same in the eyes of God and that all have sinned and fallen short of His glory. It is hard to do but with the help of God we can see that forgiveness don’t mean you accept or approve of their behavior. It means that you’re choosing the love of The Lord and peace.
Forgiveness is a daily thing.
We are not perfect. Our feelings get hurt.
Think of what that person is handling in their life.
Pray about it, sleep on it.
Each day is a new beginning.
I want to forgive others as I want to be forgiven
The Bible tells us to forgive,it hurts us the most when we don’t ,remember forgive many times always
I’ve been repeatedly reminded that to not forgive someone only hurts me, not the other person. Forgiveness is much harder than carrying the weight of the wrong, but so very important to maintaining and strengthening my relationship with God.
When we try to forgive on our own strength we so often fail. I love knowing that as I forgive and allow the Lord to work through me, I realize that forgiving others isn’t as hard as I thought. I just know that the Word says that if I don’t forgive my Heavenly Father is not able to forgive me.
I have had trouble letting go of hurt feeling, but I pray to be rid of this burden. I remind myself that Jesus taught us The Lord’s Prayer with the request to “forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us.” So I will be forgiven to the same degree I forgive others.
Powerful!
Fran
=^..^=
I do have a hard time forgiving someone that hurt me deeply. I pray about it often because I want to make sure I have forgiven this person. Something reminds me of it almost every day so I pray often about it.
I like that same verse.
My childhood was a nightmare. Saying the Lord’s prayer each week in church imbedded it into my heart. I explored exactly what it meant and felt I had found the key to God’s kingdom. Forgive as I want to be forgiven. I’ve spent my life working on forgiving and teaching my children to always forgive. It’s a choice every day to forgive those who hurt us.
I love reading your books. I relate so much more to the Amish way of thinking and living than I do to the modern English world. I crave a simpler life.
Thank you for sharing with us.
It has to be the hardest thing to ever do, is to forgive the man who took my child’s life! I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to. I pray that God understands me and knows my heart!
I simply love your novels…..heartfelt and loving! I wish everyone could read your novels and maybe the world could be just a little bit more loving!
This really hit home with me. I needed to read this. Thank you so much. Susan
The entire series, spoke volumes about forgiveness, each book, taught me so much, it made an impact on my life. thank you so much for following the lord’s leading when writing them.
In this ever changing world we are constantly struggling to keep our faith. Reading your wonderful wholesome stories helps keep me focused on the bigger picture. I Keep focusing on loving life and striving to achieve forgiveness and kindness as things change around us.
I try to forgive but; sometimes it’s very hard. I think you can start to heal if you can forgive.
Forgiveness can be difficult, but with time and prayer on your side it can be done.
Yes, I find it difficult to forgive, but with God, it is possible, and it’s so much better for my soul to forgive instead of harbor all the negativity towards that person.
When I think it’s hard to forgive someone, God reminds me of all the things He has forgiven me for. Real forgiveness brings God’s peace.
Absolutely astoundingly yes. Forgiveness does allow healing but you also must forgive yourself. Forgiveness and healing can hurt sometimes, but it’s forgiveness that can set you free, give you peace and draw you closer to Him.
Forgiveness is not always a “one-and-done” thing. The memory pokes its head back up – and you have to remind yourself that you’ve let that go…forgiven the person. Thank God that He forgives and it’s gone!
Since we have been forgiven by God for our transgressions, we must forgive others. Although a difficult thing to do, forgiving others will free your mind and enable you to live a full life. The Bible says that forgiving others (friends and those who have hurt us) is the answer.
It is a hard thing to do, forgive, at times. I do of course but I never forget. I use the hurt from the person to make sure I don’t get hurt again by them.
I had to learn to forgive in order to heal from an abusive marriage. I asked God for strength to heal and forgive..He did help me to fo go on and heal myself and not hold any guilt..And I say thanks to him every day..
Forgiving can be hard. Especially if what another person does or says about you is untrue. BUT as a believer we MUST forgive. Even if the other person doesn’t believe there is nothing to forgive. If we don’t forgive, God will not forgive us.
THIS IS ASTOUNDING! Just this morning, I was studying a lot about forgiveness, Matthew Chapter 6, vs. 14-15, and also Eph.4:32, Mark 11:25, and Matt. 18:35! God wants me to forgive a few people FROM MY HEART, not just intellectually. Please pray for me to do that! And, I agree with Debra Howell, If we don’t forgive, God will not forgive us! That’s quite frightening, when you think of what Jesus said about unforgiveness, and the servant.
God bless you, and thank you for the journal entry.
I’m working on forgiving my sister. Its difficult for me now. She was fooling with both of my husbands, in the past. Now she’s cheated my other sister & I of our inheritance, on top of spreading totally outrageous lies about me. I’m forgiving her, but finding it hard to forget.
The older I get the easier it is to forgive. When I look back over my life I realize that forgiveness is the way to peace in your heart.
Forgiveness is not always easy, and I agree that you need to be able to forgive yourself too, to be completely free. Bitterness is an enemy, and it will hold you back. I, fortunately, have never been one to stay angry with people. When my brothers and I were young and fighting, as siblings do, we would be angry and end up crying and fixing whatever the problem was. Thank you for these wonderful books.
I have learned first hand about forgiveness. When my parents made the decission to leave the Amish church and start attending aMennonite church we were shunned by some of my aunts and uncles. We were the last Amish family left in Sumner County, Kansas.. For the benefit of my brother and myself, my parents made the decision to move to Harper County and join the Mennonite church. That was about 65 years ago. I am thankful for my inheritance but I don’t understand how they can turn their backs on family members who follow God’s leading and are taken in a different direction. As a cousin and I discussed this summer; we don’t believe only Amish will be in heaven. My Dad was the youngest of 10 children and my mother was one of 6. My brother died in a car accident at age 18. May God continue to bless your writing as well as your daughter=in=law and Granddaughter.
I agree that Matt. 6:14 is a good verse regarding forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 is also a good verse.
Forgiveness is something that I struggle with but I always try to remember what God would want me to do.
I grew up in a dysfunctional family, have 5 half siblings whom always fought for our dads attention and because they were older, always persuaded him to move back to them. Hard to forgive, definitely. I pray to forgive and be forgiven. Colossians 3:12-14
Getting older, is easier to forgive. Looking back, I had a heart of stone throughout the years.
I find it hard to forgive sometime but with God it can be possible. My favorite scripture is the same one as yours. It can be hard but with God all things can be possible. Thank you very much for your books and stories I love reading them. Have a beautiful week
I was just thinking the other day about how much I need/want to be forgiven and the verse about Jesus saying the disciples needed to forgive 70 x 7. Seems like a lot, but I probably can do that many things that others need to forgive.
Another thought was that before my mom died, I wished I had asked her what was the worst thing I ever did to her, so that I could ask for forgiveness. I never got that chance but think that this would be a good practice in any long term relationship. I think we often do harm unintentionally and life goes one without real forgiveness being received or given.
Forgiveness gets easier with time.
forgiving is hard but healing comes when we forgive .
Yes I too hold hard feelings for my niece has hurt us so we took her from abused parents raised her with rules and consequences which she did not agree like ir obey but in the end she went right back to the abused parent got hooked on drugs has a child now wants to come back but we do not want to be hurt. My favorite in the Bible is I can do all things through christ for it is he that strengthens me.
For some reason I do not have a hard time forgiving people. Don’t get me wrong, I have been wronged several times in my life. But I put it in my past, and move on.
I was an adult, probably in my 60’s before the “fogveness” part of the Lord’s prayer showed itself to me..and I finally understood that yes, the Lord forgives us..but..in the manner in which I, as a Christian, forgive others.
To truly forgive..you put that hurt away from your heart..and go forward, and leave that behind.
That has brought me such peace of spirit..
HELLO WANDA,
YES,I KNOW IT IS SO TRUE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER INTO HEAVEN IF WE WILL
FORGIVE OTHERS WHENEVER SOMETHING SAD COMES OUR WAY OR WHEN WE HAVE BEEN HURT. I KNOW THAT ALL SO WELL.
MATTHEW 6:12 IS ALSO A FAVORITE OF MINE AND I HAVE HAD TO SPEND MUCH TIME
ALONE WITH MY LORD ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. AT FIRST IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TRY TO FORGIVE THE PERSON WHO HAD HURT ME TERRIBLY BUT I HAD TO SEEK GOD’S FACE MANY TIMES AND SPEND TIME WITH HIM ALONE IN ORDER TO LEARN TO DO THIS. IT TAKES SOME TIME TO LEAN ON JESUS AND TRULY BE ABLE TO DO AS HE ADVISES US, “AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS. TO ME, THE WORD “DEBTS” HERE REFERS TO THE “TRESPASSES” AND “SINS.” HIS FORGIVENESS ON OUR PART IS PREDICATED ON OUR FORGIVING OTHERS.
MATT.6K:114 GOES RIGHT ALONG WITH THE PREVIOUS VERSE HERE SAYING FOR IF YOU
FORGIVE MEN THEIR TRESPASSES YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL FORGIVE YOU.
FORGIVENESS RESTS TOTALLY ON THE ATONING WORK OF CHRIST: IT’S AN ACT OF
SHEER GRACE. SO IF WE WANT GOD TO FORGIVE US, WE MUST AT THE SAME TIME FOR-
GIVE OTHERS, IF NOT, HIS FORGIVENESS FOR US IS WITHHELD. I LOVE THE LORD
WITH ALL OF MY HEART AND DEEPLY UNDERSTAND SO MUCH MORE NOW AND AM
ALWAYS WILLING TO TRY TO FORGIVE AND IF I FIND IT DIFFICULT I SEEK HIS FACE WHEN I AM ALONE WITH HIM AND HE ALWAYS COMES THROUGH FOR ME AND I ALWAYS FEEL MUCH STRONGER AND MUCH MORE AT EASE KNOWING I HAVE REALLY
MEANT IT. I HAVE RECEIVED HELP FROM HIM MANY, MANY TIMES.
I APPRECIATE YOUR NEWSLETTERS SO VERY MUCH. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY EVERY DAY WITH HIS GREATEST BLESSINGS AS ONLY HE CAN GIVE.
THANK YOU WANDA FOR YOUR FANTASTIC MINISTRY. I LOVE THE PICTURES OF YOUR TWO PRECIOUS GRANDCHILDREN. THEY ARE SO SWEET. WE JUST HAD OUR FIRST
GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER BORN IN JUNE. HER NAME IS LAYLA MARJORIE. SHE IS OUR LITTLE JAPANESE GRANDCHILD AND SO PRECIOUS!
PRAYERFULLY IN HIS GREAT LOVE,
ANDREA
I have no problem with forgiveness. For getting is my weakness.
I trust my life to God. That is what has gotten me through life for sure.
Forgiveness has been hard for me with certain people. God is continuing to work on me and convict me. He has forgive me so I need to forgive. I keep praying…..
Forgiveness is a peace offering to our own soul and a priceless gift to the receiver!
Yes, I believe healing only occurs when we forgive. I find it more difficult to forgive someone who wrongs someone in my family rather than wronging me. The Bible tells us if we want to be forgiven for our sins, we need to forgive others. My favorite scripture verse is the same as yours!
Forgiveness is not always easy but I do think it helps one to heal. I love Ephesians 4:32- Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
My favorite verse whenever something happens that didn’t go the way I thought it should is Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” It reminds me always that even if it didn’t go the way I wanted or hoped, that God is in control, He knows what He’s doing, and He knows the eventual outcome- and most importantly, He knows that the outcome is going to work together for MY good, because I love Him and I know and accept that He’s in control.
I do feel that you need to forgive in order to heal. Holding a grudge and being angry only hurts you not the person you are angry with. Is it easy? No but anything is possible when you give it to God. He is the only way I get through day by day. I have been through some really tough times in the last 2 years and by the Grace and love of God I am still here and stronger than every. One has to forgive in order to move on. Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
I find it hard to forgive the two young men who sent bullets flying through our home, barley missing me & my husband. It has taken almost a year to replace all the material things that were damaged & for them to come to justice. We are trying hard to move forward & forgive them, but we are older & we are very nervous when we hear gunshots in our neighborhood. With God’s help & our praying for sinners & our sins all things are possible. We also like Matt. 6:14. Praying everyone stays safe.
Forgiveness is hard, but a number of years ago I decided that being unforgiven was weighing me down and I prayed on it and turned it over to God. I learned to forgive myself in the process and sometimes when I want to be unforgiving I remember that God is forgiving and that I need to strive for following Gods ways.
Forgiveness is very hard, sometimes. But, the Bible says that we are to forgive not just seven times, but seventy times seven. Years ago, I came to realise that the resentment that I felt toward the person who hurt me was weighing me down. My dad was very abusive and an alcoholic. I came to realise that the abuse was not really him. It was the alcohol. With God’s help, I have forgi,ven him for all of the abuse.
I forgot to mention how freeing it feels to forgive someone that has hurt you. It feels like a heavy weight has been lifted off of your shoulders. And that weight is being lifted by our LORD.
I forgot to mention how freeing it feels to forgive someone that has hurt you. It feels like a heavy weight has been lifted off of your shoulders. And that weight is being lifted by our LORD.
Forgiveness is not an easy thing to do, especially when the hurt is deep, but all things are possible through Christ. When I find myself struggling with it then I know I must pray about it until I can do so and be set free from the pain.
I choose to forgive. Sometimes it takes me awhile to see things through God’s eyes, but I have been in situations where I have treated someone unkindly and when I seek forgiveness, I want them to forgive me.
I struggle with this in some instances. The bible does say to forgive and God forgave us for for our sins.
I can forgive others faster than I forgive myself. I think I have forgiven myself then in the dead of night it comes back to me. I am so embarrassed about my transgressions and don’t know how to let them go, although I do believe God has forgiven me. Psalm 145:8-9 tells us “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion: slow to anger, and of great mercy”. I just need to keep telling myself I am worth it.
I don’t really find it as hard to forgive someone else as I do to forgive myself for things! Maybe that is better though, at least I am forgiving someone rather than holding grudges. I’m not sure forgiving oneself is AS important. Good topic Wanda. I need to read your books once again and this is a good place to start. Love your newsletters and this journal!
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, this is for the law and the Phophets. Matthew 7:12
You, are, forgiving and good, adounding in love to all who call you. PSALMS 86-5
Blessed is one whose transgressions are forgiven whose sins are covered. PSALMS 32-1
I feel that if we don’t forgave we can move forward in our own eyes
Why is forgiveness such a hard thing to do! God knows our minds and hearts and intents so intimately, He is aware of any selfish or self-serving sentiments we harbor. When I have been hurt, I find myself getting honest with the Lord, telling him I am going to keep repeating forgiveness for that person until that truth rings in my heart. I have found this has more quickly helped me in my daily walk with Jesus, just admitting (agreeing with) to Him I know I’m not right yet but that I’m working on it with His help. It also helps to ask God to separate the pain from the memories; I that way we no longer give that hurt a ruling place in our heart or life.
Forgiveness at times can be hard- but if I approach the person who I feel has hurt me, and we then talked about things- we both realized that we did not let each other know that we had hurt feelings. So my friend and I have decided we will talk things out and not let petty little things get between us.
Jesus forgives us, and though the Amish may do thing a little different- we get thru forgiveness thru go to confession- and that can make you feel so much better!!
Forgive others, just a Christ has forgiven us, by paying the price for my sins, with His shed blood, God has removed my sins as far as the East is from the west. If you want peace, forgive!!
I am trying real hard to forgive my brother-in-law. My sister passed last October and I couldn’t get to NY for the funeral, due to Covid and my health. My brother-in-law I thought understood this and encouraged me to stay where I was. Found out about 2 months ago, that he wasn’t as forgiving as I believed. He sent me an email, putting both myself down and my children. He didn’t have a nice thing to say about any of us. I so want to go to NY for my sister’s unveiling in October, but because of Covid, yet again, I won’t be able to go. As I live in Florida and NY is against anyone visiting from high Covid areas. My son is angry with his Uncle and wants to have nothing to do with him. I know God wants me to forgive, but I am really having a hard time with it. My brother in law and I have never really gotten along.
I always try and forgive others it might be hard to do sometimes.
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13
“Judged not, and you will not be judged condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6: 37
We visited Shipshewana, IN a few weeks ago. It was so great seeing the buggies and Amish farms. After reading many Amish books it was great to see in person. Really enjoyed our trip.
I feel helpless when I see the struggles around me. Either within my family and friends or around the world. I try to take time each morning to talk with my Lord and release the feelings to him. I pray for all that are struggling at this time.
Forgiving those who have harmed us is a huge endeavor but with the help of Jesus we move on.
Stay faithful and be safe and well
I know it is a hard thing to do is forgive. But for me God works on me till he takes hold of me and i know it is time to forgive and to be happy and live again. God is great He can do anything just trust in Him.
Forgiveness has always been the hardest for me, a weakness I work on daily.
I believe me must work on forgiving ourselves for our own sins along the sins of others.
Love your books. I always feel like that make me aware and help to make me a much better person. Thanks for your wonderful read.
I have learned to forgive family and friends with no strings attached.I never bring up anything they did to hurt me.I have a problem forgiving myself even though I know God has forgiven me.
I have lost my mom and dad. My sister lost her husband to a heart attack. We must learn not to judge others as you may not know their situation. God is good and merciful. Praying and helping others is the best we can do. We provided food toothbrushes feminine products and baby diapers and wipes for those less fortunate.