Podcast: Play in new window
Have you forgiven yourself? What about the other people in your life that you need to forgive? Have you released them so that YOU are not in chains? Have you mastered the art of letting go so you can be free?
Can I be honest and say that forgiveness is a big word, and that I’m often left wondering how it actually works? I know that forgiveness is important — not just for the person who has offended me, but for ME.
My freedom.
My full living.
Forgiveness is something that I’ve learned, and am still learning how to do well. It is the lifelong practice of letting things, situations, and, people go (yes, I said people…) — even if one of those people happens to be me…
I’m often asked about how I was able to forgive “the boy.” If you’ve read She’s Still There, you know what I’m talking about. At the age of nineteen, I was a single unwed mom and — well — I stayed single for a while. How did I move on? How did I change my thinking? What needed to change in my life so that I could keep going and also keep my sanity?
While I will share some insight to answer those questions on this podcast, I also talk about another problem I’ve had with the “F” word; The issue of forgiving me.
When we forgive, not only do we set the offender free, but we also set ourselves free. To be free is to enjoy liberty. It is to walk unhindered, unimpeded, and unconstrained. Listen. I want this freedom. Don’t you?
And I already know what you might be thinking… You understand what forgiveness is… You know you should do it… You might even be able to quote some verses about it… But you are still struggling to actually DO IT. Maybe you know how and haven’t made the effort. Or maybe you simply don’t know how.
My hope is that today’s podcast will help give you some practical tools for walking through forgiveness. And I want to tell you the truth! Forgiveness does not have the reputation of being a nice, neat, and tidy act. It’s messy. It takes time. There is a process. For most of us, it is NOT instantaneous. Forgiveness takes work. My hope is that you will be willing to do the work — to do what YOU can do to make forgiveness of yourself or others a reality — even if that process takes time.
There is no shame in doing the work of forgiveness because there is no shame in being free.
Yes, the girl in you is still “there.” But the acknowledgment of her presence is just the beginning. She should also be free.
Connect with me…
How to Listen to The Podcast
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You have been so great to join me on the journey here on the blog, I hope you jump right in and do the same on the podcast!
Thanks for the encouraging words today. I have fought so long to do what i thought was the right thing regarding family, friends, work, and now that God is teaching me to separate and let go of things and people. It’s a struggle to press forward for me, but like you said i’m realizing I deserve to walk in freedom from the chains that others have set and to learn how to forgive myself. That word “work” is a big one, finding the strength to fight for me is challenging, shocking too. I’ve always been strong and encouraging for everyone else, but i must ask myself have i really been strong for them…anyway thoughts to ponder. Thanks for all you do, may God continue to strengthen you in your journey.
I need to be free…working on turning it completely over the The Lord and doing the freedom work to get there….thanks for the message.
This podcast Blessed me. Thank you .
You are so very welcome!
Amen!!!
Thank you for your transparency. I can relate to the shame of having a baby out of wedlock. Forgiving myself has been the hardest, but God’s grace is amazing. I just finished reading, “She’s Still There”. Blessings to you and your ministry!
The steps are really helpful! I agree 100000% that the church leaves out the middle part of forgiveness. I would love to see the transformation in my life and help be an agent of change in the loves of others.It is time for me to get to work.
I appreciate you for giving of yourself, your time and sharing your experience & words of wisdom . This podcast has helped me as I walk & work with The Lord to be Free Indeed. Thank you so much!
Thank you for this pod cast today..
This truly blessed me. How can I get this in a written form. I retain more from reading. Is this podcast or the nuggets of information from this in a book that can be purchased ?
This week I tried practicing letting go and forgiving others even those who didn’t know I was angry at them. And yes I am doing it for me.
Initially I thought I did the wrong thing, saying there was no point having the conversation in the first place but later told mys elf that I am doing it for me.
Glad I can relate. God bless you for sharing.