Before You Forgive Someone – Do This Exercise

I created this Forgiveness Journal with men and women in mind. Who is taking up space in your head because of an offense? Before you can forgive somebody, there is something that needs to be done first. Allow me, along with God, to help you on the path to forgiveness.

Unforgiveness can bog us down. It can even cause us to have negative physical consequences, not to mention adverse emotional and spiritual consequences. Here is an excerpt from an article at Mayo Clinic:

What are the effects of holding a grudge?

If you struggle with finding forgiveness, you might:

• Bring anger and bitterness into new relationships and experiences.
• Become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can’t enjoy the present.
• Become depressed, irritable or anxious.
• Feel at odds with your spiritual beliefs.
• Lose valuable and enriching connections with others.

Here is the introduction to my Before You Forgive exercise:

We have heard the sayings. We know what happens when we can’t forgive. It causes anger, and bitterness, and it can even cause anxiety. It can’t live in the heart of a Christian. It will eventually break you down. It will cause havoc and decay. No doubt it is hard. It is very hard. In 2 Corinthians 2:11 Paul tells us that we are giving power to Satan when we don’t forgive. I don’t like to give him that much credit, but he does have a field day with our hearts when we can’t let go of an offense.

The following is a worksheet. It will help lead you to forgiveness. But before you forgive, you must make sure you have a clear conscience. You must make amends. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?

The worksheet will help you identify if there is anything you have done wrong. Now mind you, it’s not so much about deserving the offense or hurt you have received from someone, it’s more about how you responded to it.

No worries, I have also included some instructions on the pages that follow the worksheet.

Are you willing to receive the freedom that comes from forgiveness?