Spiritual guidance powered by AI and grounded in Scripture
Your Question:
Can I really forgive my family for what they did to me?
Answer:
Forgiveness is a choice we make, and it's essential for our well-being and our relationship with God. As a pastor, I've seen firsthand how unforgiveness can destroy family bonds and create a legacy of hurt. It's not about forgetting what happened or excusing the other person's behavior, but about releasing the hold they have on us and choosing to let go of the anger and resentment. The Bible is clear on this issue - we are called to forgive others just as God forgives us. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Forgiveness doesn't mean reconciliation will happen immediately or that the other person will even apologize. It means we release our right to punish and seek revenge, and instead, choose to love and pray for those who have wronged us. As I've counseled others and reflected on my own struggles with unforgiveness, I've come to realize that forgiveness is a process that requires effort and intentionality. It's not something we do once and then forget about. We need to pray for those we need to forgive, and we need to be willing to confront them in a spirit of love and humility, not to pay them back, but to seek healing and restoration.
Sources:
raising kids to follow christ
lee ann mancini
power of a praying parent
stormie omartian
true sexual morality
daniel heimbach
meaning of marriage
timothy keller
systematic theology
wayne grudem
addictions a banquet in the grave
edward t welch
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