How can I forgive those who sin or have sinned against me?

I think we can all agree that this is a little easier said than done; and would probably be done a lot more if we could only forgive the person who come asking for it and only if we thought that person were apologizing in a sorrowful and repentant manner. Now that would be perfect right, so what's the problem with that thinking! The problem is that that isn't what God tells us. He says we have to forgive everyone who has sinned against or caused pain to us! Ephesians 4:32 it states "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Another verse to remember is Colossians 3:13 where it says "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." The keys that I am using these two versus to point out are that we are to forgive like God forgave us. Forgiveness for all with no limits and no strings.

So why is that we have to forgive? Well, to put it simple it's because we have been forgiven by our Lord and Savior! So why so hard? Well that again is pretty simple; it's because of the emotions we run into in this process that makes forgiveness such a difficult task. All the hurt, anger, resentment, bitterness, and want for revenge that has a hold on us is why we refuse to forgive and why we refuse to let go. But why is that? Well it's our own will and our own need to have justice for what the other person(s) has done to us. Well I have a question for you about justice; and that is do we really have to seek justice for the pain that we have been caused? The answer to that is no, because in the end everyone has to face God and the book of life; and that is where justice will be done. I believe that is what many of us truly forget and also why many of us can't look to forgive because we are afraid someone will forget. But I remind you, just like God knows what you are going to do and when your going to do it; he has the book of life so he never forgets what you have done either.

So who does all this anger, bitterness, resentment, and so on actually hurt? Right again, it's you and those around you! The problem is we let it hurt every part of us; our souls, our relationships, our friendships, and every other aspect of our daily lives. So how do you get past this. Well I only know of one way. You have to ask God for his help. You have to sincerely and honestly ask God to open your mind and your heart to his way, you have to ask God for his will and power to make you willing to listen and change, and you have to ask God to give you the strength to follow through. It is then and only then that God will give you the help and relief that you so desire. This is when you will truly let go of your pain and hurt; and that will be followed by the ability to forgive.

God gave you free will and with that the ability to think for yourself and to make decisions for yourself. So I ask you, do you choose pain and hurt or do you choose God and forgiveness? It is your decision!