Listening to the message that morning was one I’ve heard before. As a Christian we were taught about forgiveness, and because Christ forgave us of our sins, we accept that forgiveness and become sons and daughters of God. But when it comes to forgiving the person that hurt you, the application of forgiveness becomes difficult.
I’ve struggled with forgiving friends, family and myself. The offense from others might have deep, a remark made, and it might have been something said in anger during a confrontation, but either way I was hurt. I would still smile with them, but the hurt stuck.
After listening to Virginia’s message, I realized something very valuable that day. I might have forgiven that person in humanity’s version of forgiveness, but I didn’t forgive in my spirit.
I realized that it wasn’t a “full” forgiveness because I didn’t surrender it to God, and I needed to do that so I can let go and heal. I had to make the decision to give it to Him, trust Him with my hurt, and mould it into something new. I desperately needed God to create a new work in me.
My walk of forgiveness.
It’s a slow walk, it takes time to put one foot in front of the other and allow God to transform my heart, but He’s walking with me, and working through me daily to make me realize He is there for me. Always.
Thank you Virginia for making yourself so vulnerable and sharing a small piece of your life with us, God has used you to make a difference, and I love seeing how you have healed, and how you smile with pure joy in your heart.
Melissa Brown