From Ashes to Beauty.com Sheryl Giesbrecht Author Speaker Radio Host Global Influencer

Trucker Runs Down

Forgive and Forget The Walking Wounded Insult or injury? Most of us will have some opportunities during our lifetime, but some of us will have many opportunities to forgive! Dr. Neil Anderson, “Satan’s biggest access to the church is unforgiveness.”

Forgive and Forget

“Be merciful, just as your Heavenly What forgiveness is: a choice “Be merciful, just as your Heavenly Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36 The crucial concept involved in forgiveness is: substitutionary

God the Father made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf. 2 Corinthians 5:21

FORGETTING What forgiveness is not: “God remembers our sins no more.” Psalms 103:12 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17 “Love…keeps no record of wrongs.” I Corinthians 13:5

Why we should forgive: It’s a Command “…in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

and by it many be defiled.” Why we should get rid of grudges: Increase stress, tension, and they never stay the same “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.” Hebrews 12:15

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.” Martin Luther King, Jr. Grudges increase tension and stress. Grudges deplete our energy, cause isolation, steal our joy, harden our hearts.

Charles Stanley shares these four easy steps to conquering an unforgiving spirit: 1. Repentance: Romans 2:4, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kingdom in forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance.”

2. Release: Romans 8:38, 39, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Release… Let Go of All of It!

3. Recognition: John 15: 1,2, “I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it that it may bear more fruit.”

4. Remembrance: Matthew 18:21-22, “How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

You don’t know what that person did to me! But what about Revenge? You don’t know what that person did to me! “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

But what about…These Statements? Lie #1: “If I forgive, I am condoning the action that hurt me.” “Should you not also have mercy on your fellow slave, even as I had mercy on you?” Matthew 18:33

“Love… keeps no record of wrongs.” Lie #2: “I’m giving peace of mind to the person who hurt me.” “Love… keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5

Get Closer to God

Lie #3: “I’m giving him permission to hurt me again.” “Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Lie #4: “I am sure that time will heal this wound.” “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9

“You can’t heal a wound by Lie #5: “What they did to me was no big deal.” “You can’t heal a wound by saying it is not there.” Jeremiah 6:14

Lie #6: “If I forgive them, I must go to them and tell them that I have forgiven them.” “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

SNAP OUT OF IT!

How Do You Stay Rid of the Grudge? “Lord, I will forgive (person’s name) , for making me feel______________.”

“Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Mentor of forgiveness: “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23: 24

Q.T.I.P. Method Q-Quit T-Taking I-It P-Personally

Forgiving is obedience: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31, 32

gift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Forgiving is setting the captive free. “For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9

FREEDOM is to realize that YOU were the CAPTIVE! Jesus has come to set the captive free FREEDOM is to realize that YOU were the CAPTIVE!

Forgive and Forget!