Break the Chain

I hesitate to call it a ‘key’ to forgiveness because everyone has to walk their own journey through forgiveness. One thing that has helped me forgive is learning to genuinely bless the person who has hurt, wounded, or offended me. This doesn’t usually happen face-to-face. It happens in the secret place, the quiet place, deep in your own being, the place no one sees. (This includes self-forgviness. Have you ever blessed your own being? Have you forgiven yourself?)

As you attempt to bless the person, you might find the chains that you have wrapped around them begin to loosen and fall off. It isn’t easy. And when you cannot get by your own emotions (the anger or hurt is too great or too fresh) take those things that you would want to be blessed with and ‘give them away’ to the person who offended you.

This is a small step toward releasing the poison of bitterness and resentment that comes from not forgiving. It isn’t a cure-all. Just a step in the journey.

What have you found that has helped you forgive others? What have you found that helped you forgive yourself?