Forgiveness Is A Gift
Important Notice: Brethren, please pray for Charis as you know the Lord has been speaking to her and she still hears from God, however, being human she also is subjected to tests and trials so that her faith may be proven genuine. After months of prayer and fasting, the Lord came through for Charis and she got a job opportunity in the USA where she had to endure these trials she is sharing below from her heart.
Have you ever found yourself in a position where you beg God to help you to forgive someone?
That was my fate. I found myself in pain, asking God how someone else had the privilege of hurting me and I had to be the one to put in the work. But that's where his Grace comes through. Believe it or, I had sleepless nights over this. My Father in Heaven forgives me every day, multiple times and I needed to forgive once. Once.
There is no set instruction manual on how to forgive others. Like Faith, I believe forgiveness is a gift from God. No one can teach you how to forgive or help you. One doesn't even know the exact moment when forgiveness is flowing in your heart.
I moved to another country and was treated very badly on my third day here. I cried constantly, asking God to take me out of that situation. And he did. What I didn't know was the open wound that was left after I was taken out of that situation. I felt pain, guilt, anger, and more pain. I told my family how I felt. I vented to my friend that I can't seem to let go of these negative feelings towards the people who hurt me and they couldn't help me. Yes, they gave me words of comfort but I needed to be freed.
See, these people were trapped in my heart. Every time I thought of them, I would cry. That's how much pain I felt. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me and told me that I can't seek help from people. This is spiritual. Just like Physical pain needs Physical attention. My spiritual pain needed spiritual attention. (Matthew 18:21-22.)
In addition, we read in (Proverbs 17:9 NIV) "Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends".
And it all leads to Love. Forgiveness is given by He who is Love. Only God can help us forgive and thus forgive our transgressions. (Ephesians 1:7-8.)
"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins".
Blessed Regards
Charis Van Rooyen
