Forgivness

[Dean62]

Matthew 18:24-30

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

How many of us have been like the servant in this parable? I know I have and it is hard for me to change.

I have so much God has forgiven me for. Who am I not to forgive others? This is humbling to me.

I pray the Lord may soften my heart that I may forgive others as is His will for me. My sobriety depends upon it. My spiritual life depends upon it.

Thank you for giving me a place to put my thoughts and feelings on my spiritual journey in sobriety.

[cmc]

Thank you for sharing this with us. I have found that when my emotions tell me that I don't want to forgive....I exercise my will and say to the the Lord: "I decide to forgive ____ no matter how I feel about it." Praying for that person or situation is another thing that I do to maintain a forgiving attitude. Sometimes forgiving is easy and sometimes I have to re-forgive and/or learn to get out of that person's way by setting some boundaries. I'm so glad that God doesn't do things that way but freely forgives.

[fifty]

Dean62, I am so so very happy that you made this post. I was just about to make a new thread asking for suggestions on how to forgive. Yes! I have been like the servant. And Yes! God has forgiven me for so many wrongdoings that I have created. But I am finding that for some reason I'm trying to forgive those who have hurt me but it's like my mind will just not 'let it go'. Resentment is a terrible thing to hold within. CMC is right in saying that one has to often re-forgive and also pray. I've been praying that I can let all of this go b/c it's useless and harmful baggage for me both spiritually and for my sobriety. In the past several days during my journey till Easter, I have said over and over again "I forgive so and so" or "I forgive myself" but it seems like it's just not wanting to let itself go. And thus my mind continues to race with the thoughts of, "why did such and such do this to me?" Or, "why did I do that?" Any suggestions? I really want to do what God has asked; to live a simple life and to give it all over to him. I'm really not the one in control...

many blessings to you all,

fifty

[sugarssweetpea]

Yes, praying for the person is a good way for God to soften your heart towards forgiveness.

[best]

Forgive as you have been forgiven.

I can't.

But Jesus can.

By the love that the Lord fills me with...then and only then am I able to show such love to others.
I watched the Mel Gibson movie and upon seeing the beatings Jesus was taking for our sake... I ask... Lord could I ever hold that much love in me?

The word tells us...as grace is needed, grace shall be given.
I gain a peace from that because I know that no matter what comes of life...The Lord will provide with my asking.
Lord, help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me.