@Bill-Miller said in Learning to Forgive others and not to become Bitter:
” Again, it is not a matter of forgetting, but one of remembering and reminding myself, over and over again of some past transgression. It is the “remembering” that re-opens the sin and hurt. It is here at this point that we go to the Cross and place those “memories” at the foot of the Cross to be washed by the blood.
Bill, I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit deployed you to share this. It has blessed and helped me tremendously especially considering the journey the Lord has me on right now. Bill, I really needed to read this;
” Again, it is not a matter of forgetting, but one of remembering and reminding myself, over and over again of some past transgression. It is the “remembering” that re-opens the sin and hurt. It is here at this point that we go to the Cross and place those “memories” at the foot of the Cross to be washed by the blood.
I practically needed to know how to handle those past memories of hurt and pain when they pop up, or when something is said or done or seen that causes them to come flooding back. Now I know at the moment they pop into my head, is when I need to go to the Cross for the washing my heart needs?
I appreciated reading this too;
**It does NOT say that God forgets, God knows everything. But, He does choose NOT to “remember.” (μιμνήσκω mimnḗskō "to remember, recollect," NAS dictionary – accurately, recall, bring to mind, remind oneself actively (purposefully); to remember, have in mind, "be mindful of." "actively remember" (intentionally) – i.e., not off-handedly or merely incidentally).
So, when I choose to remind myself of something (a particular sin), I bring “it” up again. I re-hash, rehearse, re-live, remember that sin. It becomes “alive” again, and the pain and emotional consequences follow. This is why we continue to return to the Cross – that too is a reminder, remembering what Jesus has done to deal with our sins, once and for all.**
When those painful sins that have been done against me come to mind, I have a choice. I can't always stop them from coming but I have a choice when they do come, to either dwell on them on or to dwell on the Cross. To look at His broken body that was overwhelmed with the pain and hurt of my own sins against Him and remember His choice to love me, die for me, forgive me, and His choice to remember my sins no more as well?
I think I knew these things intellectually in my head but today the Holy Spirit is bringing them home to bear in my heart. Praise God! What a wonderful day of Gospel renewal this has been.
