Most things that we do or learn to do in life follow a process. Process is performing a series of actions or steps in order to achieve a particular end result. From a business perspective, a process can be a series of business operations about something in order to change or preserve it.
Forgiving others isn’t always easy to do because it is a process in the human life. To forgive an offender is a healing process. The first step toward healing is acknowledging your feelings and the second step to the forgiving process is praying for those who mistreat you. When you do that, something unexpected happens. Your heart softens and you start to see the offender through God’s eyes instead of your own raw emotions.
An example of this process can be found in the book of Genesis. The story is about Isaac’s herdsman who dug a well during a drought of the land. The enemy came and claimed that the well was their well. So, Isaac’s herdsman dug another well and the enemy came and claimed that the well was their well. So, again Isaac’s herdsman dug a third well which they were able to keep from the enemy.
Instead of retaliating, Isaac moved on and dug new wells, and God blessed him greatly. The truth is this. God will fill the emptiness in your life when you forgive those who have hurt you. Let’s face it. As long as we share this planet with other imperfect human beings, someone will hurt you. There is no way to avoid it. And when the hurt goes deep, it can be hard to forgive.
Because you have been hurt, doesn’t mean that you should go around pretending that nothing is wrong, and denying how you feel. So, acknowledging your feelings and praying for those who mistreat you is the process to healing. You might say that you don’t want to forgive your offender. Then here is the last step in the process of forgiveness. Acknowledge your unwillingness to forgive and ask God to make you willing.
When you admit your unwillingness to forgive to God a miraculous thing often happens. The hurt will subside, and it will not burn in your heart and mind like hot fire. Keep praying and Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!

By Chaplain Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net