"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places."
(Ephesians 6:12)
A Battle of Choice
UNFORGIVENESS
The greatest battle that you will ever face on this earth is one of choice -- that of unforgiveness. You need more than anything else to forgive people that hurt you. This may be one of the hardest things that you will ever have to do in your lifetime but unforgiveness of any perpetrator only serves to destroy the one who has been victimized. Or, in the words of another, "Not forgiving someone is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die".
Please hear what I'm telling you, only in earnestness and from my heart, as a true man of God, not a preacher or even a church go-er, do I tell you this. You were a victim in the past, and continue to be a victim in your present when you choose not to forgive. And doing this will keep you a victim in the future, not in any lesser degree, but only one of continual and ever increasing mental hurt and anguish.
Taken to a new stage of this battle, seeking vengeance against the perpetrator will then only increase the strength of your enemy and further diminish your ability to forgive. The result can then be, total self-annihilation -- as a cancer that eats from within. Always remember, the one that hurt you no longer cares after he's spued his venom...only you will continue to suffer.
The solution, is the end and the victory over this "battle of choice":
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
(Matthew 6:14-15)
I can fully empathize with the hurt and mental anguish that people may have caused you, having gone through similar experiences myself, many more than I care to share within the limited space available here. However, we must go on with our lives and the enemy on this earth likes nothing more than to bring up the past, our victimization, and whisper in our ear: "See how they hurt you?"
I pray that you will find it in your heart, and with all the strength of your will, to tell this person..."I forgive you". And if you can not find it in your heart to forgive them, in and of yourself, you CAN forgive them through the love of God which dwells within you...if there is no other way to forgive them, you CAN and MUST forgive them through the love of God, who died on the cross just as surely for that person as He died for you. If the person is no longer available for you to speak to for whatever reason, do this: say a short prayer in forgiving them, by name, anyone that hurt you in any way, shape, or form in the past. When you forgive, and speak it out loud, and most importantly -- mean it, I guarantee that you will feel a great burden lifted from you.
One last thought that will carry you through this battle -- Re-read Ephesians 6:12 at the top of this page and all that you are going through should become perfectly clear...in this battle, it's NOT flesh and blood that you are dealing with.
If in any way I can otherwise help you, I will do so, in any way that I am able...through prayer or if nothing more, than just someone to talk to.
-- Amethyst Ministries
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things.
(Philippians 4:8)
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