This self improvement article is written by Lisa Buldo

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How are you at forgiving someone when they hurt you? Are you quick to forgive or slow to forgive? It’s our automatic sin nature that makes us want to retaliate when someone hurts us. We’ve all pretty much heard how Jesus said to “Turn the other cheek.” It’s difficult sometimes, but what we have to remember is this: it’s crucial to set your will to forgive ANYONE and EVERYONE that has ever hurt you, no exceptions, and here are a few reasons why.

First of all, God commanded us to forgive. He didn’t say “if you feel like it, forgive.” No. He commanded us to forgive.

Matthew 6:14-15 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. (15) But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (NLT)

You see, it goes back again to God’s principles. He is not going to violate His own principles. God can only forgive us as far as we forgive others. Even in the “The Lord’s Prayer,” we say, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Did you see the key word “as” there? Most people don’t think about this. Jesus taught this to His disciples, and it is for you and me today.

The second reason you want to be quick to forgive is because you want others to forgive you when you hurt them. Have you ever hurt someone and were truly sorry? Have they been slow to forgive you? Did they want you to “pay” for hurting them? It hurt you, right?

You see, that’s NOT how God wants you to be. You know how it feels to have someone be slow to forgive you, so be quick to forgive, and you’ll be setting yourself up to be forgiven quickly in the future. Then, even if others don’t forgive you quickly, your Father in Heaven will forgive you quickly, and your blessings won’t be blocked.

There is yet another reason you want to be quick to forgive. You don’t want your prayers hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 says that husbands are to treat wives as they should, (be good to them) so that their prayers will not be hindered. Wives are also supposed to submit to their husbands (treat them with respect, and let the husband be the leader of the household). Unforgiveness is a sure blessing blocker, whether in marriage or not.

Have you ever seen people who hold grudges for long periods of time? Sometimes even years. Not good! This only creates bitterness, resentment, strife and every evil thing! There is absolutely NO GOOD THING that can come out of holding unforgiveness.

I’ve heard it said that holding unforgiveness is like drinking poison, but waiting for the other person to die. The problem is that unforgiveness is a root (like poison) that is causing bitterness, anger, resentment and all kinds of toxic emotions in people. Don’t let this happen to you! It can eat away at you like a cancer and ruin your health.

Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness,
rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.” (NLT)

Hebrews 12:15 “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” (NLT)

Bitterness brings corruption. You seriously do not want to be corrupted. When anything is corrupted, it does not function properly. That goes for people, as well as computers.

How about forgiving yourself? I know what it’s like to hold unforgiveness against yourself. When my first marriage did not work out, I held so much unforgiveness against myself and it tormented me.

It was only after I asked Jesus in, and met with Florence, that I learned that I had been holding unforgiveness against myself. I hadn’t even realized it. I remember crying saying, “I don’t know how to forgive myself.” She said to me, (and I will never forget this), “God says He has forgiven you. And if God forgives you, who are YOU not to forgive yourself?” It was like a light went on in my head instantly, and I thought, “WOW.” I felt that those were the exact words I needed to hear to be healed of that unforgiveness that I held against myself.

There was absolutely NOTHING I could do to change the past. It was over. If I wanted to gain my sanity and my health back, I needed to forgive myself. I had accepted God’s forgiveness, but like a person who is slow to forgive another person, that was me towards myself! That was an awful feeling. I’m so glad that’s over, and it can be for you too!

If you have harbored unforgiveness against yourself or someone else for something in the past, and it’s still tormenting you or bringing you regret, make the decision right now to get rid of it. It’s a poison straight from the pit of hell. It’s the enemy of your soul (Satan) that wants to keep you stuck. Don’t give him the satisfaction. He’s a thief that only comes to kill, steal and destroy. You’ve let him steal your peace and joy long enough. Today is a new day! God knows your heart. He has forgiven you, and He wants you well so you can go on and do what needs to be done now in your life. He wants to bless you in a new way that you can’t even imagine yet. Let Him!

God’s Word says when you confess your sins to Him, and ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He also forgets your sins.

Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”(NKJV)

So God forgives and forgets your sins! Why would you keep reminding Him of your past mistakes? No! Don’t do that anymore!

My dear friend, how your life is about to change! It all starts with inviting Jesus in to be the Lord over your life. Have you asked Him in yet? You only need to ask Him once, and then do what He says. What could be better than Almighty God in charge of your life? As you commit to do things His way, no matter what, your life will result in blessing after blessing after blessing. It’s called going from glory to glory to glory. You will walk in the power and authority of Jesus. Praise Be to God!

(This excerpt from It Can Be Done is reprinted with permission from the author, Lisa Buldo).