Journey to Freedom: Forgiveness

“You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” – Genesis 41:40 (NKJV)

Can we forgive ourselves and each other for what has happened? Are we willing to let go of the past and give each other the benefit of the doubt?

Forgiveness is the gift that we all love to receive but many of us struggle to give. Unfortunately, without it we can not become truly great nor can we realize our destiny. Forgiveness is what holds great people from becoming truly free. Joseph rose to greatness after his betrayal and struggle but there was one more thing he had to realize: his destiny.

He had to forgive those who threw him in the pit and sold him into slavery, which then eventually led him to go to prison. Often as we rise to greatness our past revisits us and we are forced to reconcile with it. Some run from it and never become what God destined them to be. Others confront and embrace it and are able to experience the freedom that God has preordained for them to receive. You will never achieve true freedom unless you are able to forgive those who caused you harm. True freedom is letting go of the past, true freedom is saying I forgive you, true freedom is recognizing that what the devil meant for evil God used it for good.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Greatness is a result of persevering through life’s difficulties, intense trials, and challenges. Just as precious jewels are produced through years of intense fire and pressure and eventually command great value and admiration by men, we too have the same outcome when we allow the betrayal and trials of life to shape us into who God wants us to become.

“And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.” – Genesis 45:4-5

Forgiveness is recognizing the sovereignty of God in every situation. When you forgive, you release the pain you have had a tight grip on and free your emotions from being focused on the wrongs that were done to you. You can now embrace the people that the enemy used to bring you harm with the unconditional love of Christ. It is said that unforgiveness is like taking a poison pill and hoping it kills the other person, it only brings you harm.

How do you forgive? Here are five simple steps that will guide you to forgive and get you closer to enjoying your freedom in Christ:

1. Accept God’s forgiveness of you – It is hard to forgive others if you do not forgive yourself by accepting that God has forgiven you.
2. Draw close to those who hurt you – You cannot forgive without a willingness to be intimate with those who hurt you.
3. Confront the situation – true forgiveness starts with truth, accept the reality of what happened.
4. Release the person or persons – Write a note or verbally communicate to the person that you have forgiven them. You do not have to say it to them physically but you must address it to them even if you do not send them the message.
5. Recognize God’s sovereignty – Look for the good in the situation, no matter how bad it is you must be able to see how God has worked it or will work it for your good.

Who has hurt you in the past or recently? Have you forgiven them? If not, are you willing to go through the five steps of forgiveness so you can thoroughly enjoy your freedom in Christ Jesus? Who have you hurt? Have you sought forgiveness from them? If not, now is a good time to reach out to them.

My prayer for you today is that you will accept that God has forgiven you no matter how bad your actions and that you will tap into His grace to forgive others as He has forgiven you.