Forgiveness & Letting Go

Today I am writing about forgiveness. Why? Because I think I finally figured out how and why this is so important. Life throws us curve balls, and some are so hard to bounce back from. The good news is that we will. Getting there is what we are all concerned about. How long will it take? What will I have to go through to get to where I want to be? I have asked myself these questions continuously. I've prayed numerous times for God to take the weight off my shoulders and surround me with His presence. Sometimes it just doesn't feel like it is enough. What I have come to understand is the weight was something I had to let go of. And, I do realize why I wasn't letting go.

When we are hurt, it takes a lot to get over the anger, frustration, and pain. It takes time to heal. We will not heal if we do not forgive. Holding on to anger and frustration doesn't hurt anyone but ourselves. The people involved in the situations that hurt us are still living their lives not affected by our feelings at all. Yet, we do not want to forgive. For me, forgiving someone who hurt me felt like giving them permission to hurt me again. Or like saying, "what you did was ok." However that is not how it is. Forgiving someone is letting go of the pain. Do I have to keep that person close to me? No.

God wants us to forgive and let go. He will help us if we ask. If we want to move on to a better life, we have to close the doors from the past in the right way. God has taken the people who hurt me out of my life without me having to have confrontation with them. They were put in my life for a reason though. There was a lesson to be learned. And more than ever, I am actually thankful for those people who hurt me. If it wasn't for them or the situation, I would not be the person I am now. I also know that if I would have not forgiven them, I would not have become who I want to be.

The weight has been lifted because I chose to let go. Again, we are only hurting ourselves by not forgiving. I feel free, finally.

If you feel stuck, maybe there is a person or situation you have not forgiven. Remember Jesus forgave Judas for betraying him even though it lead to Jesus being crucified. Although Jesus knew that this was his destiny, could any of you have forgiven Judas? We may not know our future, but everything happens for a reason. Forgiveness is the key to living with a free spirit. If God can forgive us from our sins, we can surely forgive those who sin against us.

"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2-3

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

What I am thankful for today:
A snow day with my children
Love
forgiveness and knowing the changes it can bring into our lives
The Center
furbabies, God creations to show us unconditional love
Hope
my friends
my store
my family
laughter
Shawn
the power of prayer
the sunshine
rainbows
signs from my loved ones
coffee
PartyLite
chocolate
my customers
my teachers
God
life