As I walked out the door toward my freedom, I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred, and bitterness behind, That I would still be in prison

the importance of letting go

Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day.

don’t give up on people

Forget what hurt you but never forget what it taught you.

How to forgive and forget

Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me

New Definition of Forgiveness

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.

Romans 12:19 NLT

you-will-know-forgiveness-has-begun-when-you-recall-those-who-hurt-you-and-feel-the-power-to-wish-them-well

when true forgiveness has begun

you cant start the next chapter in your life if you keep re-reading the last one

The Beauty of Letting Go

“We can’t be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a  thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don’t have something better.”

—C. JoyBell C.

Forgiveness: Anyone can hold a grudge but it takes a person with character to forgive

Forgiveness: True Character

flower5

Move on

Forgiveness
is not something we do for other people,
we do it for ourselves.
We let go so we can get better.

True Forgiveness#

I don't forgive people because I'm weak. I forgive them because I'm strong enough to know people make mistakes

Choosing to Forgive

The Dungeon of Bitterness

[one_half]Bitterness is its own prison. The sides are slippery with resentment. A floor of muddy anger stills the feet. The stench of betrayal fills the air and stings the eyes.  A cloud of self-pity blocks the view of the tiny exit above.

Step in and look at the prisoners. Victims are chained to the walls. Victims of betrayal. Victims of abuse.  The dungeon, deep and dark, is beckoning you to enter … [/one_half][one_half_last]You can, you know.  You’ve experienced enough hurt…. You can choose, like many, to chain yourself to your hurt ….or you can choose, like some, to put away your hurts before they become hates….

How does God deal with your bitter heart? He reminds you that what you have is more important than what you don’t have.  You still have your relationship with God.  No one can take that.
~Max Lucado[/one_half_last]