As you unpack your strongholds and pray through the events (and traumas) in your life that caused them, you will need to focus on forgiveness. Forgiving those who may have hurt you, forgiving yourself, and maybe even forgiving God. Actually, the Bible COMMANDS us to forgive! In fact, forgiveness allows us to become unentangled from toxic anxiety and stress, so that we can become more of what God created us to be. Forgiveness is a non-negotiable practice for true followers of Jesus Christ and is the next step to walk in God’s freedom. The forgiveness that we receive from God is tied to our forgiving others. Not our capability to forgive, but our actual practice of forgiving others is something that God reciprocates by forgiving us.
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
So, What… for This Week?
As you continue to pray through the process of breaking strongholds that keep you in bondage, you will NEED to forgive. It may take time and be done over and over again, and it’s no doubt hard work, but letting go of the fantasies that we can change the past, that we can change others, or even that we are the ones who can change ourselves opens room for God to help us win the battle for our hearts. Each time we forgive, it paves the way for the next time we need to forgive. Practicing the courage and patience, and letting Jesus into the process of forgiveness becomes like exercising a muscle, it grows stronger and stronger. Together with Him we can come to a point where forgiveness is intuitive, and FREEDOM becomes a new way to live!