Forgiveness

People across the globe have been suffering because of relationships problems since the creation of the mankind. Partners being cheated by immoral relationship ; Parents are betrayed by the children; Children are not taken by the parents; Honest employees are denied rewards etc., are samples of the problems we are well aware of and it happens in our midst. The victims find it difficult to forgive and forget the person who hurt ed them mentally , physically, socially etc . At times, we find that we are affected by acts of disloyalty and acts of betrayal by our friends, partners etc.
A young nun was returning to her convent from the market. A soldier on a motorcycle saw her and pulled over. As he forced into the woods, she screamed, but no one heard her.The trauma that occur ed that day haunted her with nightmares for years, but gradually she began to heal. Years later, she was chosen to host a meeting of German teachers as a gesture of post-war reconciliation. Among them was her aggressor. It all came back! The bitterness and the thoughts of revenge were unbearable until she spent the night in prayer. Crying out to God, she eventually found the grace to serve them–all of them. She was finally free!
Until we forgive, we are the prisoner of the person who has offended us. To forgive is to cease to feel resentment against an offender, i.e., to pardon ones enemies. Scripture says that “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25). “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). God is saying that it is in our own best interest to forgive! He is not talking about what is in the best interest of the person who needs to be forgiven. Unforgiveness blocks answers for for prayers.
Forgiveness is not Condemnation. Forgiveness does not mean you agree with what the other person did to you. It does not mean you can change what happened or erase what they did. What’s done is done. All you can do is release yourself.
Forgiveness is a Choice: a Step-by-Step Process for resolving anger and restoring Hope. Anger appears powerful, but leaves us feeling frustrated and powerless. Forgiveness, which appears weak, leaves us feeling stronger and less vulnerable to others. Forgiving others often starts as a decision of surrender-an act of our will. Forgiving others does not come so easily however spiritual minded we are but we have to forgive others to be forgiven by God.

Here are some selected useful tips to help you to forgive:
- Do not deny that you have been hurt.
- Make a decision to forgive others (Luke 17:3-5)
- Do not seek revenge or repay evil for evil. Let God handle it in his perfect way (1 Peter 3:9)
- Ask Jesus to help you release the anger inside you (Ephesians 4:26-27,31)
- Pray for a forgiving heart and read what the Bible says about the subject.
- Pray for those who have hurt you (Matthew 5:44)

Let us make a habit to forgive the minor or major issues happening in our lives. May the God grand us sufficient grace to forgive those against whom we hold grudge. Nothing is impossible by God. Lets us resolve and depend on God to overcome every kind of bitterness and anger indwelling us.