Forgiveness is not an emotion !
1. Waiting to feel like forgiving is a waste of time. It's not likely to come to you.
2. Forgiveness is an act of obedience.
3. It can be done without emotion.
4. Forgiveness does you , the forgiver, more good than anyone else.
5. Jesus paid too high a price for His children to be free. So don't remain a slave to resentment. Even though it feels good
Forgiveness is not the lack of emotion !
6. Emotions are real and meant to be felt so don't pretend it didn't hurt.
7. Recognize the pain and betrayal, have a good cry , or cry out to God.
8. Refuse to dwell on it and turn it over to God. Let Him be your defender.
9. When the memory of the offense returns ,lay it at God's feet and let Him take care of it.
Forgiveness is not condoning the offense.
10.You are not freeing the offender to continue offending.
11. In fact you may have to hold the offender responsible if they continue by reporting to an authority. 12. Forgiveness does however release the offender from having to owing you.
13. Forgiveness also frees you from bitterness or holding them payable.
Forgiveness is not trust
14. You may not need to allow them back into your life if they are no longer trustworthy.
15. You should allow them the opportunity to show they are trustworthy.
16. Test the relationship. Have they continued in a negative pattern or have they tried to be responsible.
17. Holding them accountable is a loving response if it's done with a forgiving attitude
