To Avoid Bitterness You Need to Forgive

I’ve been working on the manuscript for “How to Hope at the End of the Rope.” It’s turning into quite the book. I’ll continue posting excerpts from it here, but the book has far more information in it than I can put in the posts. I have other topics to get to.  But you’re comments really help to know how to form the discussion in the book. Thank again for all of them.

Time to get on to today’s post…

Forgiveness is the key to avoid bitterness between people. If someone has wronged you, it’s likely your first response is to hold a grudge. It’s the way we protect ourselves, but that of course is a lie.

Here are some truths you need to consider:

• If you don’t forgive others, the Father can’t forgive you (Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 6:37).
• Forgiving someone doesn’t let them off the hook (Romans 12:19)
• You can’t wait until you feel like it to forgive someone (Colossians 3:13)

If you need more information on forgiveness, you can find it in the booklet “The Freedom of Forgiveness” or in the posts here. If you’re ready to forgive someone the Father has brought to your mind, here’s how…

In the name of Jesus, I purpose and choose to forgive (the person) from my heart for (what they did). I acknowledge the hurt and the hate it has led to in my life and I agree to live with the consequences of their sin.
In the name of Jesus I cancel all the debts and obligations to me. I release (the person) to You, as well as my right to avenge.
Dear Lord, I ask You to forgive me for my bitterness toward (the person) in this situation. In the name of Jesus and in the power of His blood, I cancel satan’s power over me in this memory because I have forgiven and have been forgiven by God.
In the name of Jesus, I command that all the tormentors that have been assigned to me because of my un-forgiveness leave me now.
Holy Spirit, I invite You into my heart and to heal me from this pain. Please speak Your words of truth to me about this situation.
This I pray in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen

There is more about Forgiveness at these posts. I’d love to hear your comments.