Have you ever had a wound that got infected? It got really red all around the wound and it hurt a lot! It meant that something was missed when it was cleaned prior to putting ointment on it and you had to go to the doctor for them to fix it. No fun!
Well, what happens when you don’t forgive? You still have bad feelings toward someone because whatever they did or said hurt you deeply. Maybe you decided to forget it and move on, but that wound is still there and can become infected!
The enemy has his minions prowling around every day and night, 24/7, just looking for infections in people. It gives them a way into the heart and they cause the infection to spread.
Until you completely cleanse the wound in your heart and truly forgive that person, this can create dissention in your marriage, your job, your church and your community!
There are 7 Stages of Unforgiveness:
- Unforgiveness
- Anger
- Bitterness
- Slander
- Resentment
- Hatred
- Vengeance
These heart infections are just like the wound infections-they spread! If you allow unforgiveness to exist in your heart for days, weeks or even longer, they fester and get worse until they are cleansed completely!
How you do that is to get on your knees and repent to God. Ask Him to help you cleanse your heart completely and forgive. He will tell you what you need to do. You have to listen. This is very important.
Maybe, you need to forgive your spouse, or a co-worker said something and you became offended, or a friend said something that hurt you. Whatever it was, you need to let it go and forgive just like Jesus forgave you!
Ephesians 4:32 NIV, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.”
Galations 5:1 NIV, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
I hope this helps you and your marriage! You can always go to our Prayer Wall and add a prayer request. It does not need to be about marriage or a relationship. It can be about anything! It would be our pleasure to pray and stand with you!
If you need to talk with someone, please reach out to info@unitymarriageministry.org. It would bless and honor us to speak with you! REMEMBER:
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!