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Knights of God. Anger and Unforgiveness III |
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Often it never occurs to us that the first person we need to forgive most is ourselves. Some become angry with themselves when they fail to meet their expectations and goals. Most people that are angry with themselves do not even know it. The fruit that we produce in our lives is related to how much we love ourselves. Those who love themselves will produce good fruit, but those who hate and are angry with themselves will not. Loving ourselves is one of the secrets of true joy and happiness and is a prerequisite for loving others. So if we fail to forgive this person, (ourselves), then it will make it difficult if not impossible for us to love and forgive others and find the life, health, and happiness that GOD wants us to have. (Proverbs 4:23)People who hate (and are unforgiving of) themselves will often do things to hurt (punish) themselves by acting in a manner that is not consistent with their own best interests, but those who love themselves (and forgive themselves) will do that which is best for themselves, and nurture and care for themselves. So the first person we need to forgive is ourselves. Failure to do this will keep us in bondage and will prevent us from living the rich and full lives that GOD wants us all to live. (Jeremiah 29:11-14)God said in Jeremiah 17:9 that The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Many have anger and unforgiveness hidden in their hearts and cannot recognize that it is even there. Many who have sinned but have been unable to leave their sins at and know that they have fallen short of the glory of GOD, and dislike themselves because of this, and may be angry at themselves.We have seen people that will clinch their fists, raise their voices, and get red in the face, yet when asked would swear to you that they are not angry, when it is evident to all those around them. There are people that claim that they never get angry, or claim that past wrongs have not made them angry but hurt them but did not make them angry. All these forms of denial and unrecognized anger produces the same devastating results as the anger that we all know and recognize. So we need to be on guard against this hidden anger and unforgiveness that we may be unaware of. The next person that we need to forgive is GOD. GOD undoubtedly has more people angry with him than anyone else. People get angry with GOD for many reasons, thinking that GOD is responsible for this problem or for that problem or they blame him for world problems saying if he was a just and loving GOD that he would not allow this or that. They blame GOD for all sorts of problems that he never had anything to do with in the first place. Our purpose here is not to get involved in this debate, but rather to say that if you are angry with GOD, that you need to forgive him just like you need to forgive anybody else. It is very difficult for some people to recognize their anger towards GOD. Being angry with GOD is, in our estimation, dangerous, because such anger will separate you from the one who truly loves you and whom you so desperately need. After we have forgiven ourselves and GOD we need to forgive all others. Because anger and unforgiveness are so very serious, we cannot afford to take any chances in regards to them as this is a salvation issue. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and turn to him to help you (Proverbs 3:5), for the Bible says that without him we can do nothing. (John 5:15) So turn to GOD, and let him help you to forgive all that you have been angry with and that you harbor unforgiveness against. This is something that we all need GOD's help on. So our advice is first pray and ask the LORD to help you and to give you eyes to see any anger that you have within you. You can trust the HOLY SPIRIT to bring to mind all those who you need to forgive. It is sad to think of how many have perished because of their unwillingness to forgive those who trespassed against them. Why perish because of the sins of someone else? Will you commit (spiritual) suicide simply because someone has trespassed against you? Do not let Satan destroy you because of this. Forgiveness costs you nothing to give but can make an eternal difference in your life and the life of the one you forgive. God understands your pain, but do not think that this relieves you of your responsibility to forgive others. It is a terrible mistake to think that it is ok to be unforgiving. Unforgiveness can cost you your health and happiness in this life, and result in your separation from God, not only in this life, but in the life to come. The Bible states that he that is angry with his brother is a murderer, and no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (I John 3:14-16) In the next section we are going to explore what GOD's remedy is for anger and unforgiveness. Click on Right Arrow to continue.
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