Release yourself from the prison of an unforgiving heart

Have you ever been hurt by someone close to you, by someone you trusted your feelings with, or by someone you loved? The heartache and agony is an overwhelming wound that suffocates you, makes you feel trapped, and hinders you from being able to love and trust anyone ever again. You build up resentment towards that person, and whenever you hear the person’s name or think about the person, feelings of anger, bitterness, and even rage rise and consume you. You are in a prison of the worst kind, the prison of an unforgiving heart. Only God can heal your unforgiving heart, but the healing process can only begin by forgiving others first. The Bible is filled with commands to forgive those that have wronged you (Matthew 6:14, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13), even if the person is not sorry for their actions. Not only does failing to forgive others keep you imprisoned and inflict pain upon your heart, but it hinders your prayers to God (Mark 11:26). Although you cannot force someone to apologize to you, if possible, you should always make that option available to them so that they have an opportunity to acknowledge their wrong and turn from the error of their ways. However, your healing does not come from the other person; your healing comes from God.

In the book of Genesis, Joseph attained victory over his bad memories and cruel treatment by his brothers (Genesis 37), for God promoted him from a pit to 2^nd in command in Egypt. He could have carried a grudge in his heart because of how his brothers had treated him; however, not only did he forgive them, but he abundantly shared God’s blessing with them (Genesis 45). Grudges are like germs in a healthy body that, if left untreated, can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. Holding grudges will cause you to remember only the hurtful things others have done to you, and you will carry that bitterness in your heart, robbing you of true joy and peace. (Leviticus 19:18, James 5:9)

Forgiving others and receiving complete healing from God is not an overnight process. Everyday prayer and depending on God’s Word for strength and comfort will guide you through the rough days, but it takes YOU to make the first step and initiate the healing process to begin your journey to freedom.