17-Forgive

We recently became aware of the marital indiscretion between 2 families in our church. I was surprised by how hurt I felt by the choices these individuals had made and how far reaching the collateral damage was.
Our ladies bible study prayed for all the individuals directly impacted by the events, prayed a hedge of protection around our own marriages and then began the hard task of moving forward.

Here is an exercise we employed in our bible study which may work when you are in need of forgiveness or need to offer forgiveness.
This week I am working on forgiving...

Take a RED piece of paper
Write down what you need to be forgive for (or what you need to forgive another person for). If you re the person who required forgiveness, you must Own It. Without repentance there is no true forgiveness.
Place the paper in an envelope (preferably RED) and seal it. Place this in a prominent place where you can see it.
KNOW that Jesus blood (symbolized by the RED paper and envelope) has covered this sin and by His grace you are forgiven (or are able to forgive)
Every time you feel compelled to pick up your guilt or to cast accusations toward the one who harmed you-look at the RED envelope and remember CHRIST, through whom all things, even forgiveness, is possible!