Finding Freedom Through Forgiveness

From 16 days ago to now, I have grown considerably. I have learned to truly forgive. I was not expecting to face bitterness and hurt from an issue with my husband. Sixteen days ago, my husband confessed moral impurity, looking at pornography. I forgave him when he told me, but I still felt shocked, hurt, and betrayed. I was having trouble completely reconciling with him and feeling completely open with him. I know that it is only the truths I have heard this week, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit that have helped me forgive my husband completely. I have a peace knowing that there is no bitterness in my heart, rather just a desire to encourage my wonderful husband in his pursuit of holiness. I feel like the Lord has used this situation to strengthen our marriage. Praise the Lord!  ~Rocky Mount, NC

The Lord found me with guilt for breaking up my marriage and family. I needed forgiveness from my daughters, ages 14 and 17. This guilt has caused me not to let go of my past, even though I had asked God and my girls to forgive me. Last night, at the end of the service, you told each of us to write love letters to our immediate family members and to put it under their pillows when we get home. I wrote letters to both of my girls asking for forgiveness. I woke up this morning with letters from both of my girls, and they both stated they forgive me and how much they love me. I am set free of my guilt. I feel a heavy burden has been lifted from me. I praise God!  ~Tonya

Two weeks ago, God found me lustful and prideful. I felt that I had to be right all of the time just to prove my point. I found myself wanting what others had instead of thanking God for all that He has blessed me with. God also found me bitter two weeks ago. A couple years ago, my parents separated, and I have held that bitterness toward them inside of me for so long. God touched me on the shoulder and said, “Brooke, let it all go. It will be okay. Just let it all go.” I trusted God and let everything go. I no longer have to be right all of the time. I no longer find myself wanting what others have, and instead I thank God for what I already have. I have forgiven my mom for the past situations in our life, and I now find myself in complete peace. I wake up now and know that it is going to be a good day. I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and my family is happier than we have ever been. I just want to say thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do.  ~Brooke

I thought I had forgiven the deacons that ran my husband out (the church pastor). When the revivalist said we haven’t truly forgiven them if we didn’t want to spend time with them, I realized I had not. God gave me the desire to forgive and the ability to write letters to the very people that turned our home and church upside down. Today I can say thank You, Lord, for allowing that painful time in my life. I am not the same; my home is not the same. We are at peace. I have prayed for the deacons’ walk with the Lord. I’m not afraid to see them again. My lifelong goal will be to live in the Spirit and respond as Christ would have me to.  ~Barbara

Thank you so much for all you’ve done. Two weeks ago, before Life Action came, God found me bitter and defensive. I couldn’t surrender everything I wanted to God. A couple years ago, a neighbor molested my younger sister, and I had never forgiven him. I would think I had forgiven him, but I would say hateful things and think bad things about him, and when you forgive someone, you shouldn’t have those thoughts. I have truly forgiven that neighbor as a result of the Life Action summit. Thank you, Life Action team. God bless you.  ~Rachel

God found me in a really tight spot. I’ve been through a lot in my life, and I was holding a lot of bitterness toward my mom’s ex-husband. He has done a lot to hurt me and my mom. I always said I had a right to be angry and not to forgive, but God showed me that I was the one who put Jesus on the cross, and He forgave me even after what I did to Him, so I had no right to not forgive my mom’s ex-husband. When I finally let go of all that, I breathed like I haven’t breathed in 13 years. I finally can rest, knowing that God will deal with my mom’s ex-husband and I don’t have to. I am finally done watching over a jail cell. Praise the Lord!  ~Mason

Before Life Action came, I was very bitter, and that’s where God found me this week. I had been hurt emotionally and physically by two men that were very close to me, and I was refusing to let go and forgive them. But this week, God has taught me to just give it all up to Him. I now have realized that God won’t make me go through something He knows I can’t handle. He carried me through the pain and has brought me away from the bitterness. Now I can truly say that I forgive them. Now I thank God for allowing what happened to me, because it has brought me closer to Him. He tore down those walls of bitterness I had around me, and I know now that there is nothing I can’t get through with Christ by my side. I thank you, Life Action!  ~Christian

Thank you for the truths you reminded me of these past two weeks. Two weeks ago I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew that God wanted me and my family at every meeting . . . and amazingly, we were. I discovered that I had not been living in full obedience to the Lord. My husband made a business mistake two years ago that I have held so much anger and bitterness about. I have spent the best part of those two years wounded, fearful, and untrusting. I have blamed my husband and have been the contentious, nagging wife. There is so much more to my story, but in short I had to give it all up, surrender everything I have to the Lord. I have asked my husband for forgiveness, and I am determined to let God be Lord of my life, no matter what the future holds. Thank you for showing me my sin and my hope. I am eternally grateful to you all.  ~Erika

I made a vow to the Lord before you guys came. Here is the vow: “Lord, if the doors open for a summit meeting, I will show up.” I am 26 years old, and this is the very first vow I have ever kept to the Lord. Praise God because He had me here for a reason. I was involved in pre-marital sex, got pregnant, and married the man. After two years of abuse, lying, and cheating, I met with my pastor here; and when my husband attempted to kill me, I took my daughter and left. I divorced him nine months later. You can imagine my hatred and bitterness. Praise God I am now praying salvation and blessings on him. Yes, even blessings! God has done so much in these ten days in me and my four-year-old daughter; all that for “showing up.” My cup overflows with joy and hope and God’s perfect love.  ~Bree

God found me broken, prideful, judgmental, hypocritical, depressed, and angry. After hearing the revivalist teach on mercy, I broke down and wept and spent that night face down before God seeking forgiveness for specific sins from more than 28 years ago. I suffered physical, mental, and sexual abuse as a young boy and have been bitter ever since. God revealed Psalm 32, and as I prayed through my sins, God removed the guilt and set my paths straight. To God be the glory. May His mercy never cease.  ~Rick

God found me angry and bitter about some events that had taken place at work. I felt anger at my boss and frustrated with work. Through the sermons of the last two weeks, I realized that by harboring my resentment, I was sinning against God. I felt that there were times my boss had lashed out at me and others and put scars on our hearts. I began praying for her daily last week, that God would heal the scars on her heart. It allowed me to deal with her in a more Christlike way. I have also become more aware of how my griping and complaining to other co-workers is gossip, and that I am sinning against God when I engage in this behavior. Thank you for providing the messages I needed to hear!  ~Hartsville, SC

God challenged me this week to deal with unforgiveness in my heart toward my rapist, and He gave me hope that I can forgive. God also reminded me that it is all about Him, not me, which is a very humbling experience. God also challenged me to give up all aspects of my life to His control, which I’ve never really done before. God also awakened my heart to the deadness of my heart for the lost. He also showed me to have confidence in His presence.  ~Britina

I am barren. I thought I was past all my anger. When I allowed myself to be smashed against the rock of Christ, I found angry little bits. I gave my dreams of motherhood over. I asked Him to take away the anger. Wow! He really did! Not only that, He opened doors to motherhood I never dreamed of. My husband and I now have a ministry calling to mentor foster children. God laid it on our hearts separately but at the same time. He is so amazing and wise!  ~Denise

The Lord found me very angry and frustrated when you came to our church. Our son recently got into some trouble with the law, was arrested, and is now on probation. Our lives now center around his probation requirements, which have been numerous and expensive. I was angry at our son, the attorney we paid $1000 to, the judge who was extremely harsh in sentencing our son, and the probation officer who didn’t care. It’s been difficult to live with our son’s consequences of sin, since it affects the whole family. But God has taken away my anger and restored my joy through your coming to our church. I thank you for that. We have hope for our son and our family.  ~Norma

Sixteen days ago, God found me bitter, angry, dissatisfied with my marriage, and angry with God because of our 21-year-old prodigal daughter that has turned our home upside down. These past two weeks, God has taught me to let go of pride and bitterness. I realized I’m not God, and He has a right to do what He sees as best. We have had to confess and forgive one another in our marriage. What a purging, cleansing release. I realize I can’t change my past. I can’t change my daughter; only God can do that. I can only change the way I respond to her. I want holiness to be squeezed out of me and represent Jesus.  ~Susan

God has really worked in my life these past 11 days. I was very bitter and depressed about my life. My daughter was born with a birth injury that happened during delivery, and for the past four years, I have blamed the doctors and staff for the injury. God has opened my eyes, and I have realized that He does everything for a reason. Everything is done for a purpose that He has specifically for my life and for hers. I have realized that she is a blessing from Him no matter what. I have also learned to be a more submissive wife, not because my husband thinks I should be but because it is what God expects of me. Thank you, Life Action team, for believing His wonderful message.  ~Haynesville, GA

Comments