The Heart of a Forgiving Person (5 of 5)
Series: The Blessed Life of Forgiveness
Pastor Frank Damazio
INTRODUCTION: In our last message we identified how we may develop an unforgiving spirit, identifying past hurts and events that may be the cause of unforgiveness, resulting in bitterness, resentment and anger. We also understand there are degrees of unforgiveness: mental, emotional and spiritual or full unforgiveness. When unforgiveness rests in your spirit, it begins to shape your whole life. Our goal is to live the blessed life of forgiveness, living free from all the snares and plots of the evil one. Today we examine the principles of forgiveness as seen in the life of Joseph.
Testimony: a personal struggle with forgiveness (see attached)
As poet Edwin Markham approached his retirement years, he discovered that the man to whom he had entrusted his financial portfolio had squandered all the money. Markham's dream of a comfortable retirement vanished. He began to brood over the injustice and the loss. His anger deepened. Over time, Markham's bitterness grew by leaps and bounds. One day while sitting at his table, Markham found himself drawing circles as he tried to soothe the turmoil he felt within. Finally, he concluded: "I must forgive him, and I will forgive him." Looking again at the circles he had drawn on the paper before him, Markham wrote these lines:
He drew a circle to shut me out, Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout;
But love and I had the wit to win,
We drew a circle to take him in.
"We as a culture suffer from the lack of forgiveness. Forgiveness as an area of scientific interest is brand new. I just believe it is such a valuable skill to learn and such a neglected aspect of interpersonal behavior that its absence is chilling and telling culturally."
I. THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF FORGIVENESS
A. "Research and personal observations show that the person who forgives is happier and healthier. While the goal of forgiving may be n ...
Series: The Blessed Life of Forgiveness
Pastor Frank Damazio
INTRODUCTION: In our last message we identified how we may develop an unforgiving spirit, identifying past hurts and events that may be the cause of unforgiveness, resulting in bitterness, resentment and anger. We also understand there are degrees of unforgiveness: mental, emotional and spiritual or full unforgiveness. When unforgiveness rests in your spirit, it begins to shape your whole life. Our goal is to live the blessed life of forgiveness, living free from all the snares and plots of the evil one. Today we examine the principles of forgiveness as seen in the life of Joseph.
Testimony: a personal struggle with forgiveness (see attached)
As poet Edwin Markham approached his retirement years, he discovered that the man to whom he had entrusted his financial portfolio had squandered all the money. Markham's dream of a comfortable retirement vanished. He began to brood over the injustice and the loss. His anger deepened. Over time, Markham's bitterness grew by leaps and bounds. One day while sitting at his table, Markham found himself drawing circles as he tried to soothe the turmoil he felt within. Finally, he concluded: "I must forgive him, and I will forgive him." Looking again at the circles he had drawn on the paper before him, Markham wrote these lines:
He drew a circle to shut me out, Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout;
But love and I had the wit to win,
We drew a circle to take him in.
"We as a culture suffer from the lack of forgiveness. Forgiveness as an area of scientific interest is brand new. I just believe it is such a valuable skill to learn and such a neglected aspect of interpersonal behavior that its absence is chilling and telling culturally."
I. THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF FORGIVENESS
A. "Research and personal observations show that the person who forgives is happier and healthier. While the goal of forgiving may be n ...
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