Psychologists and ministers now agree that there is only one cure for the cancer of bitterness. It is to forgive, which Dr. Archibald Hart defines as “giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me.”4 Only when we find the emotional maturity to release those who have wronged us, whether they have repented or not, will the wounds finally start to heal.
Jesus said it like this, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25, NIV). Note that Jesus said nothing about who was right and who was wrong. Forgiveness, like love, must be unmerited and unconditional. Forgiveness begins the healing process.
http://www2.focusonthefamily.com/docstudy/newsletters/A000000814.cfm
I thought this was so powerful. Ultimately - it's not our job to protect and care for US. It's our job to trust and care for God (and have faith He will take care of us) AND to take care of others. Being God-focused and others-focused makes forgiveness possible.
The world tells us to protect ourselves, to look at for # 1 (self).... the WORD tells us to forgive without a number cap on it. God WILL heal you like new and fill us back up with love to give out - an abundant, radical, overflowing, non-sensical love to give out again.... Yes there is risk in leaving your heart open again to that person that hurt you... but that's what God is all about. Risky obedience is what He asks for - He won't let you down.
I'll go ahead and break the anticipation now and tell you, you WILL get hurt again.... but He'll be there when you are cut open again and protect you when others don't.
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