“…forgive and ye shall be forgiven.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
If you are being harmed and need immediate help, call 911. Otherwise, reach out to someone you can trust. You can reach out to us if you need help.
Forgiving someone can be one of the hardest things to do, but with God not only is it possible, it’s promised. As a mom, I need my daughters to forgive me a lot and for things they may not even remember. If I remember something or the Lord brings it to mind, I pray that they be healed from the memory. Sometimes, I’ll bring up something that the Lord brought to my attention and talk to my daughters about them so that they can pray about it. I pray that nothing gets stuck in them, and I pray the same for you.
Many times, we don’t want to forgive. We want our way. We want people to apologize to us – even beg for our forgiveness when the hurt is really bad. Quiet as it’s kept, people want to know that someone is suffering for what others did to them. They want to see that the person is sorry. But God says, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay.” (Romans 12:19) He sees when we’ve been hurt and He will get revenge for the hurt someone caused, especially if they don’t repent. But, we want them to repent.
Repentance means that we realize we’ve sinned against God by harming ourselves or others – whether through words or actions. It’s what’s in us that causes us to sin, and we have to ask for forgiveness from God for allowing those things in us to cause hurt. We make a decision to give our sins to God, and, instead of taking our pain out on others, we give out hurt and sorrow to Him.
“Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?”
Ezekiel 18:23
Here, the Lord is asking this way because the answer is no. He doesn’t have pleasure when wicked people die. He wants them to turn from their evil ways and live. “He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9) Everyone, including those who’ve hurt us.
I used to only see the bad things that were said and done, to me. I held onto them like a badge (like an identity) which gave me the okay to be angrier and bitter and not forgive. I didn’t want to forgive. I was afraid that I was saying I was okay with it. It doesn’t. I’m not. Holding on to the past didn’t help me heal. It’s been the letting go that’s helped me most. I’ve shown God that He’s the One I need to come to because I’m weak without His help.
Parents are human, too.
We need your forgiveness, but more than us needing it is your need to forgive. God says we can’t enter into His Kingdom without forgiving.
Parents aren’t perfect and will sin. Some are more reckless than others, yes, but they need forgiveness, nonetheless. You might wish to have better parents, but what if God gave you them to pray for them. You can ask God to change your parents, to help them. And what if praying for your parents changes your heart and helps you forgive them? It all works out in God.
Paul says that “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Romans 8:28
God doesn’t want parents to make their children angry.
“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
Colossians 3:21
Does it mean children won’t be angry over some decisions that are best for them? No. But, God is speaking to the parents who, instead of being nurturing and loving, are rule-driven. The relationship isn’t dependent upon loving who you are but on what you can do. God wants parents to have relationship with their children, showing: love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control – all Fruits of the Spirit.
Some parents make horrible decisions that scar their children for life, but even a little hurt from parents can go a long way.
Even the best parents make mistakes.
Sometimes, parents have to make decisions that their children just won’t like. Don’t make it hard on yourself by being angry about things you may not understand. God gave you your parents. If they’re strict but loving, accept that. If they’re strict but unloving, pray for them. Keeping God first in your life will help you and protect your heart, even if it means you have to cry out to Him.
Continue your study time with Matthew 18:20-35.
Let’s pray:
God, thank you for my parents. I know you made them in Your image, too. Please keep me safe and be with me, always. Help my parents with their struggles, Lord. Save their souls and let them do only what is pleasing to you. Give them direction when it comes to raising me (and my siblings). Help me to have grace for my parents and love them, even when they mess up.
