The power of forgiveness lies within you.

One fact in life is that every single human being gets offended at some point. What happens next is how you and I choose to respond to what we feel as a result.

Choosing to forgive ourselves or people who have offended us lies truly in us. The power to forgive depends on 3 things. 

First, forgiveness means you are in control

So often, when we’re angry, we think of blaming the other person or the situation that’s causing our resentment.

Jesus said once: “judge not and you will not be judged… condemn not and you will not be condemned.” (Luke 6:37) This is very powerful in a sense that it brings every single experience in your life to your responsibility. What I am trying to say here is that you’ve got the power to decide how to respond to anything in life.

[bctt tweet=”You don’t have to let what happens to you decide how you should feel.” username=””via PasteurEmmanuel””] You have power to choose how to feel about anything or anyone in your life. 

Second, forgiveness doesn’t expect anything in return

Forgiveness does not work as a mutual practice. “Because I have forgiven you, you should also forgive me.”

Also, you cannot force someone else to change their feeling about you. That is beyond your influence. 

Actually, there is more joy in giving than receiving. Power, being also the ability to influence, lies in the process of giving. Just saying, “I have forgiven you,” is always liberating. Doing so is what you and I can do. But, beyond saying those words, what happens next does not belong to us. 

Third, forgiveness sets you free.

When you choose to forgive, you’re deciding to break the bond between you and whatever anger or resentment you have against something or someone. This is truly a decision you’ve got to make in order to begin experiencing freedom.

Anger (or resentment) is a feeling that can drain lots of energy out of you. You can lose focus because all that’s on your mind are those negative feelings. They can take so much time away from you. Instead of doing what matters, you end up doing what’s not very helpful to you or to the people that are dear to you.

Get over those feelings. And here is how you could do it:

1. Write what you’re feeling on a piece of paper. Or write it on a white board. Use an erase marker to write all what’s on your mind. 
2. Next, pray over what you’ve written asking God to forgive you and whoever may have caused you to feel what you’re feeling now.
3. After the prayer, shred the paper or burn it. If you are using a white board, wipe out (or erase) everything you’ve written. In case you choose not to write your feelings down. Talk to someone who can listen to you. Don’t blame anyone as you share your experience. But, pour out everything from your heart into the open. Describe your feelings of anger and resentment towards the situation or the person. End your conversation in prayer asking God to help you forgive. 
4. Now, get back to your daily living knowing that you’ve let go of any bond to your anger. It is erased and you are forgiven. Remember: “judge not… and condemn not.” But, love everyone, including your enemies. 

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6: 37)