“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” *Mark 11:25*

LET GO- this is one of the most liberating things you can hear today, especially if you have been bitter in your heart and have been holding onto unforgiveness for a long time. Bitterness keeps you bound, robs you of joy and hinders you from living a fulfilled life. Whereas forgiveness liberates you, brings happiness and helps you live an abundant life.

Now you might be deeply hurt by someone and asking, “Why should I forgive this person?” I get it. I have asked the same question myself a few times in the past.

Here are few reasons why you must forgive and let go of that bitterness:

The cost of holding onto that bitterness is greater

Many times there is a false sense of achievement in bitterness. You can be deceived into thinking that you are gaining something by holding onto a grudge. The truth is the longer you hold onto unforgiveness, knowingly or unknowingly, it is you who suffer, not the one you are bitter towards.

“..that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” Hebrews 12:5

It is a hindrance in your journey with the Lord

When I fully surrendered my life to the Lord, I was not an overnight transformed person. But as I started living this surrendered life, one of the areas God exposed in me was an unforgiving heart. I held onto past hurts.

Through many occasions (sometimes through a man or woman of God, sometimes through a blog post like this), God made it clear that He wanted me to let go of that bitterness. He wanted me to forgive and let go so that He can carry me forward in this beautiful journey with Him. But that unforgiveness simply cannot tag along.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” *Ephesians 4:31-32*

Because you have been forgiven much

The more I understood how much I am forgiven, the easier it was for me to forgive and forgive quickly. If God were to hold our sins against us, even the nicest ones among us wouldn’t stand a chance of entering eternal life. Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That’s how deeply forgiven we are. So, what are we holding onto?

It’s your pathway to freedom

When I finally let go of certain bitterness and unforgiveness that I held onto for a long time, it brought about inner healing and restoration in my life. I began to smile more often. Joy radiated from within me. I felt free. And, believe it or not, I was even set free from unusual aches and pain in my body. Unforgiveness is a sure stronghold, while forgiveness is meant to liberate you.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22

As you are reading this, is God reminding you of someone you haven’t forgiven yet? Or the memory of a hurtful moment that you have well stored in the back of your mind? I encourage you, forgive and let go. It’s your first huge step to living a life of freedom in Christ.

XOXO
Team Soar Girls

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