"Abuse: Inner Healing, The Next Step - Part 3"
by Pastor Deborah
Phil. 3:13- "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."
Now begins the first step and most important step to our healing,
It's a word we are all familiar with, but may possibly not have a clear understanding of.
Forgiveness, this is an absolute must for us, so let me explain something here regarding forgiveness
First off, it isn't for the benefit of the abuser/wrongdoer, it is for ours/the victim. It frees us from that cycle, whether the abuser gets right before God or not is their choice, just like it is ours to forgive. Yes, we choose to forgive.
God has set this up to help us on our journey of healing. But when I say forgive, I am speaking of pure 100% forgiveness.
I know your question before you ask, Why should I do the forgiving, they hurt me, not me them! Exactly, and that's why we MUST let ourselves loose from it totally,
Forgiving does not by any means excuse the abuser, it frees us, it releases us! It may not make any sense to you at the moment, but if we will just do that, we will find ourselves, much more at peace, beginning to actually breath again ( as it were ). Joy can return, and most importantly, it allows for God by his Spirit to start the healing process.
Matthew 6:12 says: "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
In other words, forgive us Father, in the same way WE FORGIVE those who hurt us, offend us, or abuse us etc. This is why it is important for us friends, because we need Gods forgiveness, and unforgiveness hinders that in our lives.
However I must also interject here that there is one thing that can hinder our healing, even after forgiving: Our living in the past. We cannot move forward in reverse. Can we? Nor can we move at all in neutral, doing nothing!
We are NEW creatures in Christ, leave the past behind, and Behold! ALL things are become new.
Without it ( forgiveness ), we are/can be miserable.
Matthew 6:14, sums it up: "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
I know it seems very hard to do, but believe me, when we apply God's way of doing things, healing comes, refreshing comes, restoration comes! We serve a God of deliverance for the whole person, spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally!!! God doesn't leave you to fend for yourself, he loves you, more than you even know. Yes, I know about all the empty words and promises we hear, such as: how much they love us, they need us, they are sorry, it wont happen again and so on, well we have a Father, we can rely on in all things! He keeps his every word, he watches over his word to perform it, he never disappoints us, leaves us without, dumps us, lie to us, Never! God will deal the wrongdoer, thats his job. He will and is your defense.
He will personally guide you through, hold your hand, and heal you of every hurt and pain, he will love you as his own, because you are his child!
As a result, he gives you a renewed strength, but not of yourself, his strength! His peace and there is nothing like the freedom we have in Christ to us who will receive it and walk in it.
Glory to God!
We ARE FREE Indeed!
John 8:36: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
