Posted on January 5, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call
I have had many opportunities to speak at women’s events and I have some favorite topics. One of my top subjects is forgiveness. I often work in a session on forgiveness somehow during the course of a retreat weekend. Why? Because in my speaking, teaching and counseling experience I have met a lot of people whose basic problem is unforgiveness. It may not be the issue they come to speak to me about but after peeling off numerous layers it often comes down to unforgiveness.
Unforgiveness is a form of bondage in itself.
There are different aspects to forgiveness that can hinder a person from forgiving another. I know many people have been horribly sinned against. I am in no way minimizing that. I want to offer a nugget today that may help you along your way to forgiveness and freedom.
In a recent on-line counseling class the teacher – Pastor Tim Pasma—shared about the false idea that forgiveness is forgetting. Many believe that true forgiveness requires forgetting the offense and since in many cases that seems impossible they believe they cannot forgive. When you forgive the offender from your heart it is you that will be set free.
The Lord is our model of forgiveness. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
How has God in Christ forgiven us?
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:25 He remembers our sins no more.
Pastor Pasma asked, “Is not remembering and forgetting the same thing?”
Can God forget anything? NO. So God does not forget our sin, He promises not to remember our sin.
I found this distinction helpful.
Forgetting is passive. It happens. You don’t have to do anything to forget. Forgiveness does not require forgetting. The cliché forgive and forget is not Biblical.
However, “not remembering” is active, intentional, and requires choice.
Forgiveness includes a promise not to bring the offense up again with the offender; with others (gossip), or with myself (rehearsing, brooding). This requires intentionally refusing to dwell on the offense.
In closing, let me just add this thought. Forgiveness is a faith-building experience. We don’t wait until we feel like forgiving. No, God commands we forgive so often we don’t “feel” forgiving when we chose to forgive. Forgiveness typically requires us to trust God and to step out in faith.
“And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him. And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.'” Luke 17:4-5
Freedom is waiting. Chose today to forgive and to not remember the offense.
Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.
Think About This: “God never sends you into a situation alone. God goes before you. He stands beside you. He walks behind you. Whatever situation you have right now, be confident. God is with you.” – Author Unknown
The Daily Bible Reading: Job 6-9You can download our 2023 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 331 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sandra Salama
22:08 14 Jan 23
Amazing experience for people of all ages
Amerin Meric
19:17 14 Jan 23
Awesome place to gather with friends. Also has an excellent record for helping people out of alcoholism.
David Garzetta
01:46 11 Jan 23
Beautiful facility, caring individuals, good food
Alvin Abraham
22:22 08 Jan 23
This is a really nice Retreat center. The facilities are very nice, with beautiful scenery. Staff and all are really sweet and nice.Only negative I would say was the Food isn't very good.
Camilo Pereira
20:18 02 Jan 23
Great for gathering and worship The Lord
soyun chong
22:40 30 Dec 22
Very nice place for a church retreat. Kind employees, nice rooms and area
SuperKmess
21:45 27 Dec 22
great dinner and concert
E T Rahn
22:45 11 Dec 22
Great Christian retreat center
Carl Washington
01:46 05 Dec 22
When you enter the Grounds something just happens to your body and it's a beautiful thing.
Valery Alvaro
18:26 04 Dec 22
Amazing place. You can learn a lot about God here!
Ultron Prime
15:52 03 Dec 22
Wonderful place
Ellen Morris
22:55 10 Nov 22
All I know is the next step is heaven! We love America's Keswick's events...true, Christian experience & very gifted singers & musicians.
ruth vientos
18:53 05 Nov 22
Beautiful place,room nice and cozy, good food , you can walk around it's a lake and is beautiful, you can use the pit , we used for our petitions to God, really a nice place.
Andrew Burkart
01:45 01 Nov 22
A great place for a church retreat! The property is beautiful and makes for a great place to escape the city. A lot of opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities depending on what you are feeling.
Betty Rosales
14:55 15 Oct 22
Always , Always , Always peaceful and refreshing .Among the hurried and agitated ways of the world , it is necessary to come away and rest ! ! !Our Souls are in need of trusting our Saviour and allowing Him to be Lord of our lives .America's... Keswick affords the nature , creation to minister to us in a unique way 🙌God knows what we need and provides for our needs in a place that is quiet and safe 🕊️read more
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 331 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sandra Salama
22:08 14 Jan 23
Amazing experience for people of all ages
Amerin Meric
19:17 14 Jan 23
Awesome place to gather with friends. Also has an excellent record for helping people out of alcoholism.
David Garzetta
01:46 11 Jan 23
Beautiful facility, caring individuals, good food
Alvin Abraham
22:22 08 Jan 23
This is a really nice Retreat center. The facilities are very nice, with beautiful scenery. Staff and all are really sweet and nice.Only negative I would say was the Food isn't very good.
Camilo Pereira
20:18 02 Jan 23
Great for gathering and worship The Lord
soyun chong
22:40 30 Dec 22
Very nice place for a church retreat. Kind employees, nice rooms and area
SuperKmess
21:45 27 Dec 22
great dinner and concert
E T Rahn
22:45 11 Dec 22
Great Christian retreat center
Carl Washington
01:46 05 Dec 22
When you enter the Grounds something just happens to your body and it's a beautiful thing.
Valery Alvaro
18:26 04 Dec 22
Amazing place. You can learn a lot about God here!
Ultron Prime
15:52 03 Dec 22
Wonderful place
Ellen Morris
22:55 10 Nov 22
All I know is the next step is heaven! We love America's Keswick's events...true, Christian experience & very gifted singers & musicians.
ruth vientos
18:53 05 Nov 22
Beautiful place,room nice and cozy, good food , you can walk around it's a lake and is beautiful, you can use the pit , we used for our petitions to God, really a nice place.
Andrew Burkart
01:45 01 Nov 22
A great place for a church retreat! The property is beautiful and makes for a great place to escape the city. A lot of opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities depending on what you are feeling.
Betty Rosales
14:55 15 Oct 22
Always , Always , Always peaceful and refreshing .Among the hurried and agitated ways of the world , it is necessary to come away and rest ! ! !Our Souls are in need of trusting our Saviour and allowing Him to be Lord of our lives .America's... Keswick affords the nature , creation to minister to us in a unique way 🙌God knows what we need and provides for our needs in a place that is quiet and safe 🕊️read more