Spiritual Warfare #29

Today we start chapter seven, The Landmine of Unforgiveness by Charles Stanley
Someone has hurt you, and you cannot shake the feelings of sorrow that blanket your heart. You get up every morning and tell yourself you need to keep going. But before the afternoon, you are struggling with thoughts of unforgiveness and depression. You tell yourself that nothing will ever be right again. When you have been hurt, how do you handle your emotions?

Disbelief and shock may be your first response. You may even deny the problem exists in hopes that it will go away or get better. You think, Surely he didn't say that about me.

Forgiveness or the refusal to forgive is probably one of the most exhausting struggles we face, because much of the battle takes place in our minds and emotions. We may mentally replay an event that has happened to us and our reactions to it for days or months, and in some cases, years or a lifetime. Some people cannot or choose not to work past the hurts they have suffered. They are stuck in a cul-de-sac of emotion and never take advantage of the opportunity God has given them to avoid the landmines of anger, resentment, bitterness, and fear.

As you long to refuse to forgive those who hurt you, you remain bound to them through the anger and resentment you feel. You are not free but bound emotionally and spiritually to this deadly sin.

When we allow unforgiveness to control our lives, we cannot become the people God has created us to be. Likewise, when we refuse to forgive ourselves, we run the risk of suffering deep heartache and depression-the kind that can follow us through a lifetime. And if we fail to accept the forgiveness extended to us by God and others, we can end up suffering the same emotions. We never come to a point where we truly enjoy the goodness and joy of God's blessings.

The apostle Paul admonished us, "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (Eph. 4:30-32)

That's good for today. I don't know if Stanley will state this later in the chapter or not, but I feel it is important to bring up one thing. When someone has done something to you that isn't right, whether by words or actions, just as important to forgive is to try and set things right. The person needs to be confronted on their actions. Many people have no idea what they have done or what hurt it has caused. Matthew tells us that when a brother offends us, we are to go to him directly to confront. (Matt. 18:15-17) Better sooner than later, but it needs to be done nonetheless. Do everything you can to make peace and live in harmony with the other person. Be humble, willing to accept responsibility for your part in the situation. We're all going to wrong people, hurt people, cause due or undue offense and we need to learn how to navigate the waters of peacemaking.

Have a blessed day!