Part 4: Finding Freedom for Your Heart - How to Forgive and Forget

2 Kinds of People Have Trouble with Reconciliation

1. Those who will not forgive                               

2. Those who will not forgive                                                   

God Is Never the Cause of Unforgiveness

. . . as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Isaiah 43:25

Forgiveness and Forgetting Truths

• When we hurt others or are hurt by them our                 is wounded and dangerous.

• Anger is a reaction to an injustice

• Anger is a                                                                                   usually produced by the original feelings of pain and hurt.

• Our thoughts center only on what happened - not on what lies ahead

• There is no                                for this problem and no                     .

• We are reluctant to leave revenge to God because he moves too slowly (Romans 12:19)

• Forgiveness works when those involved are                           to receive it and give it

• Forgiveness begins when we realize that we are                                in                      of forgiveness ourselves.

  Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

  "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
  Matthew 18:35

• There are those who don't want our forgiveness -- do it                                    

• Time doesn't heal wounds -- some things even get                           in time

  He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
  Psalm 147:3

• God invites us to use him as a lightning rod for our anger (Psalms 7, 10, 17, 28)

• God invites us to express the                           we feel toward Him

  Does it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands, while you smile on the schemes of the wicked?
  Job 10:3

Steps in Forgiving and Not Remembering the Pain

1. It is an act of your                      -- choose it

2.                                     your failure in the situation to God -- experience forgiveness

3. Express your                                                         and                           to God -- he can handle it

4. Talk it out with a 2^nd or 3^rd party -- hear the                                          and                               

5.                                          the forgiving and healing

6.                                     the negative memory with the positive reconciliation