All of us have hurt others and been hurt by others. Unfortunately, it is an inevitable reality for everyone living on planet earth who interacts with others. If we have any chance whatsoever of reconciling relationships, we need to learn to forgive.
I've been around people who cannot forgive and I see how angry and bitter they become. Eventually, their bitterness is no longer directed at the one who harmed to them. Their bitterness begins to affect every relationship they have. It affects the way they look at every circumstance that occurs to them. Given enough time, bitterness will etch its presence in every facial wrinkle making it clear to the world: "This person has refused to forgive!"
But, how can we forgive? When we are hurt deeply and especially when the perpetrator is unrepentant and refuses to make things right, how do we get past it?
One very helpful mindset that I have benefited from is knowing that there is coming a Day when Jesus will judge every single person (2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5). Since I know that a horrible wrong has taken place and I am forbidden to get revenge (Romans 12:19), I can find comfort in the fact that the Lord has taken notice. Whether in this life or on the Day of Judgment, He will fairly make things right. So, I'm free to forgive and let the offense go. Jesus will take care of it.
It would seem that the Apostle Paul also found comfort in this very thing . He wrote in 2 Timothy 4:14 - "Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds."
Did you see that? He acknowledged the hurt. But, he was also able to let it go and not allow it to grow roots of bitterness in his heart because he rested in the fact that the Lord would one day make things right.
Don't hang onto hurts. Loosen your grip on them and let them leave. Realize that the Lord is a just Judge and will handle it. You focus on forgiving and leave justice to Him.
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