Alright, so how does one go about forgiving someone? I mean anyone can say, “I forgive you”, but somewhere in my mind I always remember the issue. I have always had major issues forgiving my dad for all the pain and suffering he caused me. The issues that I struggle with seem to fade away for a while and then come back to haunt me. Did I forgive him when I said I did? Well, I thought I did.

I was severely hurt at church a few months ago, which caused me to leave that church. I keep thinking that I am over the pain, but it always seems to come back. So I ask again, “How does one go about forgiving?” My current pastor recommended that I write the pastors at the previous church a letter to forgive them. He basically wants me to write down a blessing for the pastors and the church. I think this is an incredible idea. I will do that this week I suppose.

Anyway, will they ever find out how much pain they caused? Probably not, but that is a good thing. I don’t need to let them know because I can go to God to heal me from my pain. Telling them they hurt me doesn’t do anything, but hurt them. I don’t need to retaliate even though my flesh wants them to hurt as much as I did.

I am so incredibly thankful to have a God who heals us from pain and suffering. When we face pain we need to crawl up into the lap of God and share our pains with Him. He longs for us to need Him that way. He is a God who loves to take our pain and make us more like Him. I guess I just answered my own question. When we seek to forgive someone we need to confess the pain to God. Confessing the pain to Him releases us from it. God then takes the pain and gets rid of it, and we get His love in return. We never give God pain without Him giving us comfort.

Seek out those who have hurt you and bless them tremendously. Help them in ways that they never helped you. Refuse to hold onto your pride and bitterness because God is waiting to hold you as His son or daughter.