EXTEND FORGIVENESS

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:14 pm

Hello YogaMama,
I understand what you mean about not feeling able to forgive yourself. I worried a lot about everything as a child and it came with me into my adulthood full force. I read though that God forgive us for all our sins. He doesn't say "oh look this person did this and that sin is worse than another". All sin is the same to Him. He forgives everything no matter what it is. He loves you and after He forgives you of a sin you have repented for He forgets that you did that sin. Think about how wonderful that is to have true and total forgiveness from God. If God himself thinks that you are worthy of forgiveness then there is nothing you can't forgive yourself for.
If you already asked God for forgiveness then the matter is done with Him. Each time you think of the "sin" or "item" again just remind yourself that you are free of that burden and it is no longer yours to carry.
Just tell yourself that you are free of the "item", God forgave you, You forgave you and remind yourself that the "item" requires no more thought on your side. Push out the thought and say to yourself, "I no longer need to think about that "item" again. It has been dealt with for good". Than push the item out of your mind and think of the wonderful things God does for you daily.
Hope that helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:22 pm

Hey Don....

I need a little help here. Please don't let the enemy stop you from doing the good work for Jesus....Jesus never gave up so don't you. I love your post and your awesome spirit.

Heres my question Don...

In life Don people have said sorry to me for things that they did to intentionally hurt me. Whether it was insults or just calling me up screaming at me like a jerk. Then they apologize but I didn't feel a sincerity in their apology....so now I feel challenged on forgiving them but I know that if I don't the Lord wont forgive me...how does one forgive another that only desires hurt for them. I don't want to walk around with a contrite heart and a spirit of heaviness.

Yes I do too see many wolfs dressed in sheeps clothing as well. But I will not be moved by those negative spirits and I will continue to share the good word and workd of the Lord.

Thanks Don for your guidance.

stephyannette · Post by **stephyannette** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:21 am

Hey Don,

Blessings to you. I'm sorry you feel this thread is going to the left and the uncomfortable feeling you have. That was not my intention. I was just quoting some good word from Joel Osteen. I guess it really touched alot of people in some form. But don't allow the enemy's spirit to stop you from blessing others with your beautiful testimony's and your fabulous spirit. I love reading your prayers and your uplifting words.

For myself I know I can be emotional and this hit home with me because the first people I'm emotional with are my kids. So I constantly have to apologize to them. My daughter keeps a love chart and when shes upset with me she crosses out all the hearts.....so were teaching eachother how to forgive and that people are human and make mistakes but that we still are accountable for the mistakes we made. So Joel's quote really hit home for me. I have been able to apply it to other areas in my life that I had recently experienced and I release it to God.

Don you are strong and so spiritually gifted and you are truly inspired and admired...especially by me. Have a beautiful day and know that I keep you lifted up daily in prayers and for your upcoming trip.

In Jesus name
amen and amen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:46 am

1 Corinthians 13 says that love keeps no record of wrongs.

And this program says that we can't have those "expectations" of other people to behave in a manner that WE think that they should.

Forgiveness is something we do as Christians because Jesus told us to. Nowhere in any of those scriptures in reference to forgiveness did it mention that we are supposed to get something back or that the offender has to say that they are sorry.

After all...in the end - it will be between me and God (or you and God)...it was never about "them" anyhow.

Blessings,
Dawn

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:48 am

Thank you Dawn that was beautiful..........

I needed that scripture for myself and to share with my daughter. Hopefully if I can help her now and MYSELF we will be more mature Christians. Thank you again for that PERFECT scripture.

Blessings to you always

h.beth · Post by **h.beth** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:31 am

GREAT topic. I had an "issue" with understanding this a while back.

I now see that yes I can forgive someone for a wrong, let it go and move on. I also have learned that even if someone appears to have wrong me in my mind and the way I feel, that does not mean I have to trust them or be their best friend again. I was enlightened about this in church...the "jist" of it was that YES we can forgive and move on. But we also have to see that God does not want us to continually be used, abused and hurt either. We can pray, love and care for that person from a safe distance."

My father was not the "model" parent. (alcohol, mental and emotional games, infedelity etc) I HATED, YES HATED him for the many many years he hurt my mom, sister and I. I kept giving him opportunities to change, but every time I gave him another chance at his request, same ol' same ol!

it was the same hurt and at times the words and actions were even worse than the prior time. It just progressed into a deeper ugliness every time. I gave up on him, totally and completely walking away from him & HATED him for playing mental and emotional games with us, scaring my mom and sister, treating us like crap. Yes I did hate him and in return I carried that hate and hurt and dished out back what he gave us. (real grown up on my part I know

!) I did not know how else to communicate with him because he did not understand any other way but abuse and disfunction and I just wanted him to "pay" for what he did, for him to feel as hurt as my sister, mom and I did...I (and my sister) just completely walked away from him. He died about 10 years later, which will be 4 years ago this July. I wish I could have handled it different, to know then what I know now. I have healed from that and know I only did what I knew how back then. I could have "loved" him from a distance. I love him from a distance now though.

pleasehelp · Post by **pleasehelp** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:01 am

Thank you Work in Progress for your kind and incredibly uplifting words. I have been told over and over again that God is all forgiving. It is an easy concept to understand but hard to put into practice. I have such anxiety over Dying and not ever have reconciled my true faith in God. I am afraid of what comes after death. I try to tell myslef to let go of the control and give myself over to my faith in God and the faith the something good is waiting for us all in death. It is such a high anxiety topic for me. Your explanation of forgiveness has given me such peace. Thank you!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:42 pm

God is so good and loving YogaMoma and I wish you all the peace and comfort.......

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:05 am

I know its hard to forgive those who have hurt us...especially those who are so close to us like a husband and or a child at times......even a good friend. But its amazing how once they are forgiven in your heart how the anxiety/panic are so greatly deminished. Thank God for scripture..the word.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:52 am

As I continue to reflect on this thread of forgiveness I have come to realize that when I have forgiven challenges in my life not only is there much more happiness and joy in my life...but also my body is so much healthier. My sugar levels are at normal readings....my heart rate is at a normal reading...blood pressure is beyond perfect....So holding in emotions only do damage to us. I see and understand why the word says to forgive others and forgive ourselves. Not to be stricken with a spirit of heaviness....its ok to grieve but dont stay there with it...A merry heart is medicine to the body and a dry spirit is bad for the bones.........

Blessings