Biblical Answer

The Cycle of Anger and Forgiveness

When we have forgiven someone, but anger returns, it can be a challenging and confusing experience. We may feel like we've made progress in forgiving, but now we're faced with lingering anger. This is a common crossroad that many of us encounter. The Bible reminds us that when we fail to forgive, we become imprisoned by our anger (Ps 32:2-4). Similarly, when we don't release the wrong someone has done against us, we respond to a real wrong, but also to the anger that's building up inside us.

In this situation, we need to ask ourselves if we're trusting God or not. Our anger indicates that we may not be trusting Him to handle the situation. We can't simply say, "I'm going to stop being angry," because that's not a resolution that will stick. Instead, we need to recognize that anger may come, but it's not meant to hang around like a cloud over our relationships. When anger lingers, opportunity comes to the devil, and we need to avoid that. We need to learn to forgive and let go of our bitterness, not just once, but continually, as a process, not an event.

The Power of Forgiveness

Christian friend, do you really believe that you are forgiven? The Bible reminds us that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 Jo 1:7). This means that no matter what we've done, God will forgive us. When we're struggling with anger and resentment, it's essential to remember that we've been forgiven. We can ask God to temper our anger with patience and love. We can also pray the Lord's Prayer and make it our own, which is evidence that we're putting up a good fight against lingering anger. Ultimately, forgiveness is a process, and it requires us to continually relinquish our bitterness and trust in God's sovereignty over our lives. By doing so, we can experience true freedom and joy in our relationships and in our walk with God.