It is God who avenges me and subdues the peoples under me. He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me. You have delivered me from the violent man.(2 Sam.22:48,49)
For many years I held onto unforgiveness towards many people who had hurt and abused me. God spoke to my spirit and said,”Michael, you must forgive all who have wronged you, please forgive.” It took me 17 years till I obeyed what God had spoken to me. My disobedience had cost me my finances, my health, my sanity and blocked me from receiving God’s best.
When the devil had declared victory over my life, Jesus walked in and His love overwhelmed me. His love caused me to repent, forgive all who had hurt me and His grace flooded my life. His mercies are truly new every morning and great is His faithfulness. He delivered me from my strong enemy and He set my foot on a rock to stay.
Whatever you are dealing with today, forgive those who have hurt you. God isn’t saying you are wrong for feeling hurt. He is telling you to forgive to be set free. Our Deliverer is here to set us free. Those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Jesus, sets us free! Who the Son sets free, is free indeed. Forgiveness is a gift for us. There are many misconceptions of what forgiveness really is. Let’s look at what forgiveness is and what it is not.
Forgiveness is giving up revenge, releasing bitterness, releasing judgment, showing mercy, giving up the right to be right, memory without vengeance.
Forgiveness is NOT approving of the wrong done to us, allowing the wrong to continue, denying what was done to us, waiting for someone else to apologize, forgetting, a one time event, trusting, a feeling, defending yourself, not necessarily reconciliation (it takes 1 person to forgive, it takes 2 to reconcile).
Now that we have a clearer picture of what forgiveness looks like, ask the Lord to help in forgiving anyone who has wronged you. It is essential to walk in forgiveness to receive all God has for us. Walk in forgiveness and watch the blessings of God overtake you and be free indeed!
The Teaching Ministry of Michael Cannatello
TMMC
