Held Hostage
Everything in us wants to hold our offender hostage.
It feels like an impossible task to forgive someone who has hurt us.
We want to withhold from them whatever it is that they value.
We want revenge.
We want them to pay.
We insist they make restitution.
And it's still not enough...
The hurt gnaws away at our souls, breeding bitterness, resentment, and anger.
We are called to forgive.
Scripture instructs us to forgive, over and over again if necessary.
Unforgiveness is toxic to our souls.
Forgiveness opposes our human sense of fairness.
Unforgiveness holds us hostage rather than the one who offended us.
It halts our spiritual growth,
It keeps us from becoming all that we can be in Christ.
We can let go of unforgiveness with God's help.
And when we forgive,
We become vivid displays of the forgiveness God has so generously given to us.
Releasing unforgiveness
Gives us Freedom.
adapted from bible study lesson
Detox-clearing the way for spiritual wellness
Irving Bible Church
(with a twist of cleanrain)