{"id":190,"date":"2009-02-06T08:28:15","date_gmt":"2009-02-06T06:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/galmin.co.za\/myblog\/?p=190"},"modified":"2009-02-06T08:28:15","modified_gmt":"2009-02-06T06:28:15","slug":"thought-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/?p=190","title":{"rendered":"Thought 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"resentment\"Today we’re fasting from the thought that says, \u201cI tried to forgive but I just don’t feel it.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Many people are held back in life because they are waiting for the feeling of forgiveness before they let go. <\/span>In the meantime, the unforgiveness continues its damage against them, while they wait for their feelings to change. <\/span><\/p>\n

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The problem with this thinking is that it is backwards.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s overcome this today:<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Forgiveness is not a feeling.<\/span><\/strong> It is a decision. Whatever grudge, whatever bitterness, or resentment that you have toward someone will not go away without a decision; a choice.<\/span> <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Forgive by faith.<\/span><\/strong> 2 Corinthians 5:7 says we live by faith, we forgive by faith. <\/span>That means that when you forgive someone out loud, from your heart, you must believe that it is done. <\/span>Never let your faith follow your feelings. <\/span>Your feelings will catch up with your faith.<\/span> <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Don\u2019t be fooled by the feelings of resentment or anger when they try to come back.<\/span><\/strong> You\u2019ll be tempted to think, \u201cI don\u2019t feel anything, so nothing must be different. I guess I must not have forgiven.\u201d This is a lie! <\/span>This is the thought you must fast from.<\/span> <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Maintain an attitude of thankfulness<\/span><\/strong> that you have been set free from the pain and consequence of unforgiveness. <\/span>Thank God that you are free and healed. <\/span>As you do this EVERY TIME that you feel those feelings, you will feel less and less of the pain, until it vanishes forever. <\/span> <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

5.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Understand the meaning of the word: <\/span>FOR\u2014GIVE.<\/span><\/strong> <\/span>It simply means to GIVE, BEFORE. <\/span>We need to \u201cgive\u201d forgiveness, BEFORE the person apologizes; BEFORE they change; and most importantly BEFORE you feel anything. <\/span>Just as faith works by believing God\u2019s promises BEFORE they show up, (Mark 11:24-25), forgiveness works BEFORE you feel it. <\/span>When you forgive BEFORE you feel good feelings about that person, you are living in the highest level of faith. And this is pleasing to God. <\/span>God is pleased by our faith, not our feelings. (Hebrews 11:6)<\/span> <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Meditate on what God has done FOR you, rather than what people have done TO you.<\/span><\/strong> <\/span>Psalm 103:2-4 says, \u201cBless the Lord O my soul and forget none of his benefits\u2014He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with loving-kindness and compassion.<\/span>\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

THINK IT & SAY IT:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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I accept that forgiveness is not a feeling. <\/span>It is a decision. <\/span>I expect the bitter feelings, the problems, the unanswered prayers to change beginning today because of the choice I have made. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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I forgive by faith, which means that as I act on the Word of God and declare my forgiveness out loud, I am pleasing to God, whether I feel something or not. I will not be moved by how I feel. <\/span>If the feelings persist, I will persist even more. <\/span>I will not be fooled by my feelings. <\/span>They will catch up with my faith, and my faith declares that it is done. <\/span><\/p>\n

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I am forgiven and I am a forgiver! <\/span>I choose to forgive others (AND MYSELF), BEFORE they change, before they deserve it, and before I feel it. <\/span>I focus on what God has done for me, rather than what others have done to me, and therefore, I am free. <\/span>In Jesus\u2019 Name!<\/span><\/p>\n

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In His Love,<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n