“Forgiveness is What Truly Sets Us Free” ~ Guest Post

Two years ago, I was starting to feel distant from God and it seemed as if I couldn’t sense His voice in my life as clearly in my life. So, I began to pray and asked God, “Is there something keeping me from hearing Your voice?”

I had remembered hearing someone say that if you’re not hearing God’s voice as clearly as you have in the past, ask yourself a question…“Is there something that God has asked me to do that I haven’t done yet?” If so, He may be waiting for you to be obedient in what He’s already asked you to do before He gives you something new.

So, I began to pray about this and realized that about six months before, I had sensed from God that I needed deeper healing in several relationships in my life. These relationships were with leaders in our church during a really difficult time when a major church split occurred. I had felt offended and hurt by some of their actions, some of their words and some of the things that happened.

God had brought me through the process of forgiving them. However, I realized that I also needed to ask them for forgiveness. Why? Well, you see, I had been judgmental of their actions. My sin was in judging them and holding bitterness in my heart for so long.

I felt strongly God leading me to contact these men who were leaders in our church at the time. I had put it off…for six months to be exact. I didn’t want to do it, but God brought it to my mind again and I knew I needed to obey.

It’s not as if I hear God’s voice in an audible way, but I do sense His voice in my heart. I sense His Spirit leading and guiding me. The Bible says that His sheep hear His voice, (John 10:4) describing Jesus as the Shepherd and His followers as the sheep. If we have a relationship with Jesus, we will hear His voice in our lives.

As I began to realize that I needed to obey and do what God had already asked me to do, I prayed and asked God how I should contact these men. I didn’t want to be inappropriate and I didn’t necessarily want to show up out of nowhere knocking on their doors. Plus, some of them no longer lived in our town. Therefore, I felt God lead me to personally call them on the phone.

Do you know that within 24 hours I found all of their phone numbers and I was able to talk to each of them. Not only was it healing for me, but it was healing for them as well. I could tell that a couple of the men had tears in their eyes as I asked them for forgiveness. Then, as they responded by asking me for forgiveness for what they had done, it was an amazing experience. God truly brought healing and restoration through my step of obedience.

I wonder sometimes if there aren’t more Christians like me, walking around with unresolved issues in their heart; i.e., unforgiveness, resentment or bitterness. Maybe you have felt God prompting you to go to a person and ask their forgiveness or to release that person in forgiveness and yet you don’t want to do it. It’s understandable. Like me, I didn’t want to bring up the past and my old wounds. It felt hard. It felt difficult. It felt awkward. It felt unnecessary and, yet, God showed me that forgiveness is what truly sets us free and allows for a deeper healing and reconciliation to take place.

I’m wondering if there is anyone in your life that God is prompting you to approach and ask forgiveness or maybe to forgive them for something they have done to hurt you. I encourage you to ask God today and then to obey in whatever He asks you to do. It is worth it, even when the first step you take met with resistance. Ask God for strength today to obey Him in what He’s asking you to do.

Shelley Hitz is the co-author of Forgiveness Formula: Finding Lasting Freedom in Christ, along with her husband, CJ. In this book she talks about her journey of forgiveness and healing after her grandma’s murder. Visit their website to find out more about their ministry and the special gifts they offer with your purchase of their book at: www.TheForgivenessFormula.com