Spiritual guidance powered by AI and grounded in Scripture
Your Question:
Can forgiveness truly set us free from the weight of our past when we've been hurt deeply?
Answer:
As a pastor, I've seen firsthand the weight of past hurts that people carry with them. Forgiveness is not always easy, especially when the hurt is deep and the pain lingers. However, I firmly believe that forgiveness can truly set us free from the weight of our past. It's a process that requires effort and commitment, but one that can bring healing and liberation. Forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting what happened, but rather not holding the person's sin against them. It's an act of self-defense, as Claude Lanzmann puts it, a way to stop the fatal bleeding of resentment. But forgiveness is not automatic; it requires confession, repentance, and a willingness to release the offender from our judgment. It's a choice we must continually make, often multiple times, as we relinquish our bitterness and choose to extend grace and forgiveness. As I reflect on my own experiences as a husband and father, I've learned that forgiveness is essential in building strong relationships. My wife, Susan, and I have had to renew our commitment to forgive each other many times over the years. It's not always easy, but it's a necessary part of living out our faith and extending the love and forgiveness that God has shown us. By choosing to forgive, we can break free from the weight of our past and live more fully in the present, free from the burden of resentment and bitterness.
Sources:
introduction biblical ethics
robertson mcquilkin
my utmost for his highest
oswald chambers
sacred marriage
gary thomas
psalms
tremper longman
practicing the way
john mark comer
2 corinthians
colin kruse
acts
r c sproul
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