One Nazi guard in the concentration camp was especially cruel to Corrie and her sister Betsy. Betsy died before the end of the war, but Corrie survived to tell their story. Imagine her surprise when this former guard attended one of her talks, extended his hand, and asked her forgiveness.
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Robert’s father sold him and two of his sisters into slavery where one sister was murdered and Robert was cruelly mistreated. When he and his other sister finally gained their freedom, they discovered that their father was sick and homeless. What would you do in Corrie and Robert's shoes?
Corrie took the hand of her former guard and forgiveness flooded her soul. Robert and his sister took their father into their home and cared for him the remainder of his life.
Forgiveness isn't easy, but it's essential to our spiritual health.
Has someone offended you? Seek our God "who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20).
To read these marvelous stories of forgiveness: The Hiding Place and Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom; The Emancipation of Robert Sadler by Robert Sadler and Marie Chapian.
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Bible Love Notes
Hi Gail, reading your post I'm nodding my head and saying yes, and good, but in reality it must be extremely hard. I believe a similar situation may come knocking on our door, to welcome family who have hurt us, and to practically forgive. We have forgiven, but if they come knocking? I would have to rely fully on God's grace. Great encouragement here for me to dig deeper.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Yes, Tracy, I think forgiveness sounds hard, but is even harder than it sounds. I know it is my greatest sin to hold on to unforgiveness at times. It's so much easier to nurse it and feed than give it up. I pray that in this situation in your life you will find strength beyond what you can imagine to forgive and move forward.
DeleteWhen I read what you wrote I am embarrassed at memories of struggling to forgive so little as a snippy, thoughtless comment. "As we forgive those who trespass against us".....Our Lord has high expectations, but he also offers his help in getting the job done. I'm asking him now to remind me of this the next time I need a heart like that of his own!
ReplyDeleteThe Hiding Place is an incredible book that touched me deeply. Her story of love and forgiveness are inspirational.
ReplyDeleteI think the hardest thing to realize that, as hard as it seems to forgive, if we actually do it, our burden becomes lighter. We are able to rid ourselves of that burden of anger.
I find it difficult to forgive my son who spread lies about my husband and myself to my brothers and their families and then on to the extended families. Nobody will talk to us because he was so manipulative and lies come so freely to him since he is an alcoholic and drug addict. How do you forgive when he continues sinning against you?
ReplyDeleteDear Susan, This is the most difficult type of forgiveness - when someone continually wounds us and we live with the consequences of their choices. There are no easy answers...it's a time to press into God, spend time daily pouring your heart out to the Lord. He understands your pain and He is the best Counselor! It's also important to remember that forgiving someone doesn't mean we accept or approve of what they did. It is acknowledging that they have sinned. I pray God will continue to work in your heart because unforgiveness hurts us more than anyone else. May God use this sad and hurtful situation for good purposes (Genesis 50:20).
DeleteGail
Dear Gail. I read with interest your words on forgiveness and the comments that people have made. In the past, I have found it difficult to forgive, but knowing just how much I myself have been forgiven by God (and it's a lot!), I find it much easier. By the wonderful grace of God, I am what I am NOW, so how can I not forgive? I found a marvellous talk on forgiveness by Joni Eareckson Tada on YouTube - 'True Woman '12 - Forgiving Like You've Been Forgiven'. I highly recommend it to anyone who is struggling to forgive someone else for whatever reason. Joni's words really made me realise the importance and beauty of forgiveness. As Joni herself says 'Will you receive mercy and not extend it to others?' On this day of all days, Good Friday 2021, may God help us to remember that Jesus died for us all 'while we were still sinners'. Remembering that incredible sacrifice should surely help us to forgive, even when it's hard.
ReplyDeleteGod bless, Christine.
Thanks for your insights and the recommendation. I always appreciate Joni's thoughtful devotions and videos.
DeleteYes, may we remember today and thank the Lord for the way He suffered to set us free!
Hallo Gail,if someone hurts me and doesn't ask for forgiveness, I should forgive them? No problem,but do I have to stay in relationship with them? For example, how does one forgive a rapist, child molesters and stay in contact with them especially when they are familymembers? Help me understand please!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI apologize if you got previous responses in your email. I have deleted my first comments because I was afraid they weren’t clear enough.
DeleteTo answer your question:
In the truest sense, we cannot forgive someone unless they ask us to forgive them. But we can refuse to become bitter and refuse to take revenge. We typically call this “forgiveness” even though true forgiveness requires that the offender repent.
Even if the offender repents and we forgive them, that does not automatically restore trust or restore a relationship.
If a family member rapes/molests another family member, and they forgive them, they still should report their crime to the authorities and take precautions so that it doesn't happen again. Seeing justice done is not the same as revenge.
When physical danger is involved, we must protect ourselves and our family.
God places a high priority on our relationship with our spouse and our parents, but that doesn’t mean that we allow them to physically abuse us. Nor does forgiving them restore the relationship. Physical abuse is a serious sin and needs to be treated seriously.
If a family member molested me without asking forgiveness, I would cut off contact with them. I would seek the Lord’s help in forgiving them so that bitterness didn’t damage my heart and soul, but I would not seek to restore the relationship. If they asked forgiveness, I would seek the advice of a pastor or Christian counselor about how I should proceed.