I find it somewhat surprising and definitely disconcerting that many of us, as Apostolics, struggle with a basic tenet of Scripture.
As much as God has forgiven us of, as much as He has extended His grace toward us, many of us, preacher and saint, struggle with forgiving. We propagate the necessity of forgiving others and rightly so. And, we generally do not struggle with forgiving those to whom we are not close.
What has become apparent to me is the more significant the pain inflicted by those closest to us, or by those who should know better, or by those who attack those closest to us, the higher the likelihood of us developing an unforgiving spirit toward the ‘guilty party’ involved.
On numerous occasions, I have heard, “I will never forgive that person for what they did.”
Who among us has not been unjustly attacked by a fellow preacher or saint where the pain ran deep? If not all of us, indeed, the majority of us have experienced this. I know I have — more than once.
Spouses inflict pain on spouses. Children on parents. Parents on children. Preachers on saints. Saints on preachers. The list goes on.
I have heard many justify their unforgiving spirit and cloak it to appear acceptable. But it cannot be done. Unforgiveness will not remain silent forever. If left unresolved, unforgiveness is deadly. Unforgiveness will develop a host of other devastating emotions resulting in physical, emotional, and spiritual damage.
There is no person worth losing your soul over.
Please, examine yourself. Is there anyone you have not forgiven? Be honest.
If forgiving someone is not happening, recognize reality. Then, get help. Find someone trustworthy to walk with you through this process. Do not let unforgiveness continue. For your sake, for your family, for your church, and for your world.
Unforgiveness is deadly, and yes, it does stink!
If I can help, let me know.
You might also like these articles...
Forgiveness & Trust
Forgiveness & Trust Is it necessary to trust again after forgiveness has been given? We know that forgiveness of others is necessary so we may maintain forgiveness in our own lives, but does that mean we have to trust the one we have forgiven again? Several years ago, I asked an older minister this question.…
To Be Known by God
To Be Known by God. We live in a world exploding with information. People trip over themselves trying to gain knowledge, whether it is accurate or not. But knowing does not guarantee us anything. Knowledge alone does not satisfy the soul. What does satisfy is being known. Curt Thompson, MD, says, “The process of being…
Fear Fear?
On March 4, 1933, the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, gave his inaugural address to the nation. Within his speech, he uttered these words: “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed…