Messages from our hearts... How to Overcome Unforgiveness Unforgiveness in your heart is like having poison in your veins. It can lead you to death if you do not seek the antidote. Forgiving people who hurt us is extremely hard to do. You can feel pain from what they have caused you, making it difficult to release true forgiveness. Trying to take control of a situation or to take revenge on a specific person will only further complicate the destruction of yourself. God clearly says in His word, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19 ESV) No one is claiming it is easy to forgive a wrong that comes against us; however, you can help yourself counteract the poison by courageously moving forward into forgiving anyone who has offended you.
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Do not give the devil any foothold or advantage over you, because if he wins in this battle it can become a stronghold over your life. Unforgiveness is poison! We cannot forgive without the power of the Holy Spirit. Humble yourself and read John 20:22-23. Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit!” In the very next verse he said, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” God’s Word clearly tells us throughout to forgive and be forgiven. Get rid of all the poison that comes from unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment.
When we trust God and choose to forgive, we can rest assured that God will take care of the rest. Forgiveness is our “seed” of obedience to God’s Word, and we can trust that God will honor His Word and will be faithful to bring a harvest in one way or another. Do not allow your unforgiveness to hinder your faith from working, creating a barrier. By the power of the Spirit, confess any unforgiveness in your heart, and go to the person immediately presenting forgiveness and grace - do not wait and allow bitterness to brew.
Courage to repent of unforgiveness will wash away the spiritual filthiness by draining the poison of death that stops life. As you are obedient to wash in the POWER of God’s Word and offer forgiveness to your offender, forgive in Jesus’ Name. This will bring refreshment to your soul and restore communication with the God who loves you most. Your life will become alive as the burden of sin is lifted and you are able to move about freely without the weight of resentment, restoring all communication with your Creator as you confess your sin.
“Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.” (Matthew 11:24-25 NIV)
Taken from the book: “Courageous Steps of Faith: With God All Things Are Possible”
Your communication with God needs to flow freely, and if sin resides from unforgiveness, communication with God becomes blocked.
Founder and Executive Director Women World Leaders
Kimberly Hobbs
