HOW TO FORGIVE

 Around the Year with Emmet Fox

 

February 17

 

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord,

and he shall sustain thee. . .”

 

(Psalm 55:22)

 

The technique of forgiveness is not very difficult

when you understand how.

The only thing that is essential is willingness to forgive.

Provided you desire to forgive the offender,

the greatest part of the work is already done.

The method of forgiving is this:

Get by yourself and become quiet.

Repeat any prayer that appeals to you,

or read a chapter of the Bible.

 

Then quietly say,

"I fully and freely forgive X

(mentioning the name of the offender);

I loose him and let him go. I cast the burden aside.

He is free now, and I am free too.

The Truth of Christ has set us both free.

I thank God."

 

On no account repeat this act of forgiveness,

because to do it a second time

would be tacitly to repudiate your own work.

Afterward, whenever the memory of the offender

or the offense happens to come into your mind,

bless the delinquent briefly and dismiss the thought.

Do this; however, many times the thought may come back.

You will find that all bitterness and resentment

have disappeared, and you are both free

with the perfect freedom of the children of God.

Your forgiveness is complete.