On Suffering and Forgiveness

Whoever stated to you that once you become a Christian, life gets easier, lied to you. Many of us have gone through situations in our walk with the Lord, not really understanding how to respond when adversity comes our way… Here are some questions to some circumstances you probably have already experienced:

What do you do when you have been offended by a friend or a relative?

How should one respond to difficult situations like:

Being betrayed? Falsely accused? Persecuted for your belief in service of Him? Taken advantage of? Overlooked?

I have been prompted to write about this as so many, including myself, have been in painful situations that have left heartbreak. It is my prayer that those who read this will find victory and healing as I have. Some people have even left the faith over situations like this. Yes! We all go through painful circumstances. You see, we have an enemy, the devil, who is a master at using people to bring harm and wounding. Unless we can bring ourselves to first admit who our real enemy is; we will continually be set up for another “sucker punch” from the enemy. A person who has become wounded is vulnerable to becoming bound in unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment.

In 2008 a situation happened in a church that left me heartbroken. It took months to “get over it” so to speak, as I kept rolling the situation over in my mind, asking the Lord, “I don’t understand, how could this have happened? It hurts! I love these people.” I was in a state of grieving, and it felt like I would never get past this & go forward…. Yes! By faith, I forgave those who have wronged me, but how do I get relief from the pain? You see, we can forgive ‘by faith’ but, real victory doesn’t occur until that pain is gone… The answer was found when I realized that my heart needed to be healed. In other words, I was wounded in my soul.

THE VISION

In that season, I went through a time of seeking the Lord for understanding in what happened in that situation, which ‘cut to the bone’, so to speak. I was left with the unanswered questions of why? Lord, I don’t understand how this could be. For a period of time, all I could see was the incident, and trying to make sense of it…. This left me in a state of grief and sadness that was beyond anything ever experienced… Please bear in mind, that there are things that will never make sense, because the origin of it came from the devil, who is the author of confusion….

Then one morning while soaking in His Presence and meditating on the Word, and specifically Philippians 3:10, I had a vision, where I saw Jesus at the Last Supper, washing the feet of Peter, & Judas…. Peter, who was about to deny Him, and Judas, who was already plotting the betrayal. In that scene of saw the Love of Jesus being poured out. I could hear His thoughts… “I know what you are about to do, but I still love you!!” Yes! Even Judas!!!.. What Christ was about to endure made my current issue so small in comparison. I could now understand how deep & wide the Love of our Savior is.

That encounter put me on the road to healing & understanding…. In this fallen world, there will be suffering, but in Christ, there is total victory!! The outcome of if all, is an understanding and a oneness, a closeness that I have never really had before…. You see, in Philippians 3:10 (Amp): “ Paul says it like this, “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope].” So, with that we look at what Paul wrote next: Phil 3:13: “…..13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.” In other words, we can put it behind us! Yes, the memory will always be there, but the pain will be gone… We have then accomplished what Paul said in 1 Cor 13:5: “….Not taking into account a suffered wrong.”

How do we “take no account of the evil done….?” The only way to accomplish this is by identifying with the sufferings of Christ. When we compare what He endured on the cross and said, “Father forgive them, or they no not what they do” ; makes our issue pale in comparison I have asked the question, “Who am I?” when comparing my issue to what Jesus suffered. This in itself helped me to appreciate the great Love Jesus has for us, and empowered me to love and forgive those that have brought the offense… This whole discourse is about the victory that has already been provided for us. in Christ!!!

In writing this, I remember Jesus’ words, “I have overcome the world”… He truly is our victory, and in everything, our conqueror… Everything is hidden in Christ…. So, when the trials of life comes our way, the answer is hidden in Him, and He is totally willing to help us achieve victory. For truly, in forgiving others, the Love of Christ is being perfected in you!

OK, Right now, I believe there are people reading this that can identify with what I’m saying…. You’ve been wounded, and you’re wondering if you will ever be over it…. Please say this prayer with me:

Father in Jesus name, I look to you for my answers in life. From this day forward, I put You first in everything I do and say. I ask you to come into my heart and heal my pain and brokenheartedness. I forgive __________________ who has hurt me. I ask Father, that you do not hold this action against them. I release them and the situation over to you. I ask that you bless them, and that they will experience your great love, as I am commanded by you to forgive others, as you have forgiven me. I ask you Jesus, to shed abroad anew, your Great Love into my heart. That I my see and love those around me as You see them. Thank-You Jesus, I receive your healing, I receive your forgiveness. Amen!

Below, are some additional Scriptures and commentary that I believe will help you in the healing process:

Philippians 3:10 (Amp): “10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]”

Here was the key to victory; identifying with His sufferings! We have to remember that Jesus was exposed to all kinds of situations and temptations, but never fell into sin. In other words, He felt what we feel. Paul here, identifies with Christ in what he experienced in spreading the Gospel. As a matter of fact, Paul has a lot to say concerning this:

1 Thes 3: 2-5 “3 2 And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in [spreading] the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, to strengthen and establish and to exhort and comfort and encourage you in your faith,

3 That no one [of you] should be disturbed and beguiled and led astray by these afflictions and difficulties [to which I have referred]. For you yourselves know that this is [unavoidable in our position, and must be recognized as] our appointed lot.

4 For even when we were with you, [you know] we warned you plainly beforehand that we were to be pressed with difficulties and made to suffer affliction, just as to your own knowledge it has [since] happened.

5 That is the reason that, when I could bear [the suspense] no longer, I sent that I might learn [how you were standing the strain, and the endurance of] your faith, [for I was fearful] lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our toil [among you should prove to] be fruitless and to no purpose.” Paul sent Timothy to encourage the Thessalonian people… In short, we should never allow ourselves to be alone , or allow a wounded saint to ‘go it alone’. We need each other. So, when you’re hurting, seek out a trusted friend or a minister that can stand with you until victory comes.

Let’s look at another example:

2 Tim 1:12(Amp) “And this is why I am suffering as I do. Still I am not ashamed, for I know (perceive, have knowledge of, and am acquainted with) Him Whom I have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on), and I am [positively] persuaded that He is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which I have committed [to Him] until that day.”

Paul, being fully aware of his calling and the price that had to be paid, willingly laid down his life in service to that calling. It was by God’s Grace that empowered Paul to accomplish his task. We as well, need to ‘count the cost, and pay the price’ in our service to the Master.

The Lord is forever close to us:

Ps 34:17 & 18 (Amp) 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles.

18 The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.

Holy Spirit is our Comforter (JN 14:16). He is forever there helping us to understand and bring us to a place of healing. Both for us and others…

Thes. 1:4-6: Persecution God will distress those who distress us!

1 TIM 4:10: With a view to this we toil and strive, [yes and] suffer reproach, because we have [fixed our] hope on the living God, Who is the Savior (Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer) of all men, especially of those who believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Him). Our biggest vulnerability is when stress or a crisis situation in a relationship takes our focus off Christ… Paul makes it clear; in every situation, we must identify with His sufferings. In that there is the Love of Christ. It is in that place we do not take in account a “Suffered Wrong.”

Tim 1:15: Suffering rejection and betrayal.

2 Tim 2:3: Suffering …Endure hardship like a soldier

2 Tim 2:9: Suffering.. Even in chains

2 Tim 2: 24: Suffering the wrongs of others.

2 Tim 3:12: Persecution for living godly lives

2 Tim 4: 5-6: Persecution for the Gospel sake

Heb 4:15….. A great High Priest who’s touched with our frailities. Heb 10: 33.34 The price of following Christ. We will be tested in the days ahead.,15 &16: Betrayal and abandonment

2 Tim 4:18: The assurance of being protected by the Lord and of deliverance

Heb 12:3: Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.

Heb 2:17 & 18 So it is evident that it was essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful (sympathetic) and faithful High Priest in the things related to God, to make atonement and propitiation for the people’s sins. 18 For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].

PS 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows]. We’re not alone! What an awesome Savior!!