Taking a Step Beyond Forgiveness
Taking Emotional Healing to Another Level
It may happen only once in a lifetime, but sometimes you may receive the ultimate betrayal from someone resulting in a tremendous amount of emotional pain. Such was my family’s case several years ago.
When news of the betrayal was first made known, along with all its false accusations, I knew immediately that I had to forgive the persons involved. You see, many years ago, I experienced first-hand the torture of an unforgiving heart. But one day, while at the end of my rope, I cried out, “I forgive them, Lord, and I ask you to forgive me of all the bitterness inside of me.” That day, I began walking in a freedom like I had not experienced in years.
I made a promise to myself that I would never allow myself to be tormented in this way again. It stirred me to live my life according to the principle Paul taught in Colossians 3:13: “What Christ has done for me, pass it on to others.” Not only that, I try to remind myself that I am not Miss Squeaky Clean either. There are times that I know I hurt others also.
However, months went by, and I kept thinking about the betrayal and false accusations my family had experienced. I asked myself, “What is going on here? If I have truly forgiven, why are their faces always before me?”
Yes, I knew that the pain of an emotional wound takes time, but something about this was different. I began to sense that there was another step I needed to take beyond forgiveness. It seemed as though every time I opened my Bible to read, it fell on “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14).
The question on my mind was HOW do I bless to put this verse into practice? One day, I came across a prayer I had recited many times at the end of church services telling me how.
“Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: The Lord bless and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace’” (Numbers 6:23-26).
That passage of scripture began to take root way down deep inside of me for the ones who had betrayed my family. Had I forgiven them? Yes, but God’s desires for their future became my desires.
I sincerely wanted them to
· be protected from all evil,
· experience the love of their heavenly Father as He shines His face upon them,
· feel loved, accepted, and approved by God,
· experience the comfort and peace within themselves, others, and God.
As I moved into this next step in emotional healing through praying this blessing for our accusers, I concluded that: Forgiving others keeps our life free from being tormented with bitterness. When we take a step beyond forgiveness and bless, we become God’s mouthpiece in which the blessings flow to those who have persecuted us.
Reflection
Have you ever been betrayed by a friend, family member or someone else you trusted? If you have, tell how.
Have you forgiven them according to Colossians 3:13? If so, write down the passage of scripture found in Numbers 6:23-26 and meditate on it.
Are you now ready to take the one who betrayed you a step beyond forgiveness? Describe what this passage means to you.
Goals
Write one goal you can accomplish today (at home, at work, with family, etc. that will allow you to live out your purpose in regards to Healing.
“Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:23-26 NIV)