Forgiveness, the first step to freedom ?

Throughout this week, I’m going to guide you in a 7-step journey towards complete restoration. The texts are inspired (with permission) by the excellent book Lord, I Want to Be Whole by Stormie Omartian. I encourage you to read it!

“Lord, I want to be whole!” has been the cry of many of our hearts in the midst of hardship and suffering. Most of these trials are related to our relationships with others. Despite our devotion to God, depression, discontent, anger, bitterness, and frustration are all symptoms indicating that we have “poor emotional health.”

God wants to heal you, as His Word affirms here: “‘For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord” (read Jeremiah 30:17, NKJV).  

I don’t know your story, but maybe you still have bad memories:

• That go back to your childhood,
• That remind you of your spouse’s betrayal,
• Or that are related to a recent conflict.

Whatever your wounds are, the path to healing is through forgiveness, the inescapable first step. It means to “receive God’s forgiveness and let its reality penetrate the deepest part of our being.” In other words, to say goodbye to the past. (Read Isaiah 43:18-19)  

The author adds that “forgiveness is a two-way street.” (Read Matthew 6:14) “God forgives you quickly and completely upon your confession of wrongdoing. … Forgiveness is a choice that we make. We base our decision not on what we feel like doing but on what we know is right.”

Do you want to have better emotional health? This step of forgiveness is then essential for complete restoration.

I invite you to pray with me…“Lord, help me to let go of the past so that I can enter into everything You’ve planned for me. Show me whom I need to forgive, and help me release complete forgiveness to others. Heal me of all the painful memories that have marked my life so that I can become all You created me to be. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

God is freeing you, starting today!