I'm supposed to do what??

I go to a small group class during the week at my church and we have been discussing forgiveness. What has been the most difficult for those of us broken people in this small group is learning to forgive those that have hurt us or damaged us in some way. And that is a really big issue for believers. How do you forgive the unforgivable? Let's face it, we all have something that is unforgivable (in our opinions). How do we forgive that? While I can't pretend to know the answer to this question, I can share what insight I've learned in our group.

-Forgiveness is a process-Sometimes it takes a long time for forgiveness to take place. Forgiveness is like an onion. There are layers upon layers of hurt and that requires layers upon layers of forgiveness, which takes time. I feel like there are some things I can forgive, but others I cannot (not yet anyway). As I work through each layer of hurt, perhaps there is a layer of forgiveness in there too. It just takes a while.

-Forgiveness does NOT mean trust-Just because we forgive someone does not mean that we have to trust the person that we have forgiven. A person who is truly repentant will turn away from the action that hurt you and will not continue the said action. When those we trust the most continue the actions that hurt us the most, then they have not truly repented. They haven't turned away from that behavior, which means they haven't been worthy enough to receive your trust. However, they should receive your forgiveness. Why you ask?

-Forgive others because Christ forgave us-Christ's blood was spilled to cover all of our sins (did ya get that? ALL of them!). If He can forgive me of ALL of my sins, I am supposed to forgive my brothers and sisters of theirs (not always easy though).

-Forgiveness is for you, not them-When I forgive someone who has wronged me, it is between me and the Lord, not me and that person. UNforgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. It just isn't going to happen. When I forgive, I don't even have to tell that person. It really has little to do with them. What it does do is strengthen the relationship I have with the Lord and helps my walk grow stronger. It doesn't let that person "off the hook" or imply that you think the behavior is "acceptable," it is a release for you.

Luke 6:37 says, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." I certainly want God's favor and forgiveness on me.

I believe forgiveness might be the most difficult God has asked His children to do.

I'm still learning...

Well, this isn't the usual Mommy School post, but it is about teaching the twinkies. I want them to learn to forgive others, but more importantly, I want them to realize how much Christ has forgiven them.