Ephesians 4:32 - And be kind 2 one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave u.
People like 2 say, “I can forgive, but I cannot forget.” Have u heard that b4? Now, in the first place, nowhere in the Bible does God tell u 2 forgive and then 2 forget. It is not in the Bible! The devil is adding something here 2 make the whole thing burdensome.
God only tells us 2 forgive bcoz God in Christ has forgiven us a debt we cannot pay. When we do this, we do ourselves a favor bcoz harboring bitterness &; unforgiveness can sometimes [[[ destroy our health ]]]!
So just forgive and let God take care of the rest. When u really forgive, sometimes, He makes u forget. But sometimes, u still remember the incident bcoz it was a major thing in your life. Yet, when u look back at it, the pain is no more there. The sting is gone and u are not bitter.
Joseph had forgiven his brothers b4 they came and bowed b4 him. He remembered what they did 2 him, but he did not remember it with bitterness. (Genesis 50:15–21) So u may remember the incident, but the bitterness is gone bcoz u
have put the cross in the picture - “God in Christ forgave me. Daddy, I forgive u. Mama, I forgive u. My cousin, I forgive u.”
When u forgive, forgive by faith, not by your feelings. We walk by faith, not feelings. (2 Corinthians 5:7) Some people are waiting 4 feelings — “I am waiting, Father, 4 the right emotion 2 come on me 2 forgive that person.” That “right emotion” may never come!No, forgive by faith, and do it once and 4 all. Spend time in prayer. Take out your diary and write it down: “Father, I bring this person b4 u. You know what he did 2 me. Father, as You forgave me through Jesus’ cross, even though I did not deserve it, by faith, I now forgive this person and I let my anger against him go in Jesus’ name. Amen!”
Once u forgive by faith, u will see the sting of bitterness removed from your heart. You will experience the peace and joy of God filling your mind, and see a greater measure of wholeness in your body!