bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. – Col. 3:13-14
Even though we forgive others and ourselves, it’s important to acknowledge that there is a healing process that still needs to take place. Forgiveness releases the offender, but doesn’t heal the pain. The pain is healed by receiving love where there was betrayal; acceptance where there was rejection; joy where there was sorrow; life where there was death; and Jesus is in place of the offense.
The length of this process varies for everyone. Spiritual exercises like praying, reading the Word, and fellowshiping with the Lord and people of faith speed up the process by bringing Jesus into the situation. Without these positive steps, healing is slower because it keeps us separated from the answer, Jesus.
By God’s grace, we must press through, even when it’s most difficult. This pressing through allows the healing to take place. Opposition comes when we understand this principle and move to oppose what the enemy had planned. So, let’s worship! Let’s sing praises unto our God! Let’s spend time with Him, and in Him receive healing, from glory to glory!