"Beloved, forgive"

Last Sunday, Pastor Bruce Steeve's from The People's Church spoke on forgiveness. And I wanted to share my thoughts because it is such an important topic.
*He allowed me to use some of his notes...

Why is it so hard to forgive someone? Especially if they didn't ask for your forgiveness in the first place!!

The Mayoclinic article says it this way:


Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for happiness health and peace.
Forgiveness can lead to:
- healthy relationships
- greater spiritual and physical well-being
- less anxiety, stress and hostility
- lower blood pressure
- fewer symptoms of depression
- stronger immune system
- improved heart health
- higher self-esteem

Here is a little story from my past:
(to make a long story short...)
I was once hurt. Someone said something. I trusted them. It took a lot for me to trust them. A lot. For lack of better words, that person betrayed my trust.
How did I feel?;
- I was mad/infuriated
- I was sad
- whenever I saw them I felt like steam was coming out of my nose like an Angry bull
- when I saw that person I was like, "oh, hi how are you?! " But inside I was hurt, hateful, judgemental, fake. :(
- I thought that person was phony.

All this time that person had NO IDEA I was thinking this way!!! (Terrible of me I know)

My hatred lasted too long. A couple of months. That is a couple of months too long. It was exhausting but then, something amazing and so annoyingly humbling happened!

God lovingly told me, "beloved, forgive."

I thought to myself, "but God, how can I forgive them? They did not ask for forgiveness and would probably do the same hurtful thing again if they had the chance! I don't want to be hurt again I and don't deserve to be hurt again! I don't have that kind of energy!"

Then God said, "But I died for you even though you didn't repent and you still spit in my face everyday and I still love you!"

1 John 2:6
" whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way he walked."

Philippians 2 vs 3 to 5
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus."

I was left with a decision to make.
- forgive
- or don't forgive

I had to forgive, it was way too exhausting not to.

Question: Am I still scared to trust that person?
Answer: Yes

Question: Are they my best friend and I have to hang out with them all the time?
Answer: No

Question: Do I have to love and respect them and have a loving peaceful heart whenever I see them?
Answer: Yes

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do but it is necessary. Period. Do yourselves a favor, have courage and forgive.

Here are nine Bible verses about forgiveness that I love.

Matthew 6:15-15
 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Daniel 9:9
 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;

Mark11:25
 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

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.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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.

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven

Luke 17:3-4
So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says , ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Romans 12:20

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head