Bible Question: How do I forgive my dad for the wrong he has done to me, because I gave my life to GOD? And I am happy, but I have this void inside me even though I have asked GOD to forgive me? |
Bible Answer: Dear Jen, Might I humbly suggest the following that was rooted in my own past: 1. Recognize that you are commanded by God to forgive. It is a sin to withhold forgiveness (Mark 11:26). Forgiveness is acting like your Heavenly Father (Eph 4:32). If you love Him, you will want to obey Him (Luke 7:47). 2. Realize that your father could never sin against you as badly as you have sinned against God (1 Cor 15:3). Your sin against God is infinitely worse! 3. Ask the Lord to forgive you for your bitterness (1 John 1:8), and to cause you to forgive your father. (Don't ask Him to "help" you but to "cause" you. Help means you'll meet Him halfway. God doesn't share His glory (Isaiah 42:8).) 4. Purpose in your heart that you have forgiven your father. 5. Act that way (Col 1:10 and Eph 4:1). Your feelings don't matter -- they will come along in time. Forgiveness is not about emotion. I hope this helps a bit. In Him, Doc "Lord place in me an inclination to be holy and strive to be like Jesus Christ, to draw from Him my daily strength and peace. As I labor to have the same mind that was in Him that I might be conformed to His image, impart Your grace that it may be so. As it was the aim of Jesus to forgive others (like He forgave me) let me likewise aim to bear with and forgive others ... to be unselfish in the same way that Christ lived not to please Himself. To walk in love, even as Christ walked in love ... to be lowly minded and humble, as Christ also made Himself of no reputation and humbled Himself." --John Hendryx |