54 - Cameron – The Freedom of Forgiveness: Releasing the Pain, Embracing God's Peace
“Cameron emailed me multiple times, feeling torment, anxiety, fear, and panic.”
The Freedom of Forgiveness: Releasing the Pain, Embracing God's Peace
Cameron, like many others who have contacted me, was under torment. It’s a panic, a fear that grips you, whispering lies of hell and hopelessness. I suspected Cameron’s was demonic, but there is a path to peace, a way out of this darkness, regardless of the source: forgiveness. “Unless you forgive your brother from your heart…He will turn you over to the tormentors, to be tormented until you should pay back all you owe” (Matthew 18:34-35). This doesn't mean minimizing the pain you’ve endured. Abuse is real, and its wounds run deep. I know this firsthand, having experienced sexual and physical abuse, abandonment, and rejection. But unforgiveness chains us to that pain, allowing it to fester and control us.
It's easy to feel consumed by our own suffering, to believe no one else understands. I reminded Cameron of what my previous spouse experienced while growing up in India: extreme poverty, a loveless home, physical abuse, and constant fear. Many around the world know what it is like to feel like prey, to face daily threats. Yet, through it all, God's grace sustains those who trust Him in it. They don’t allow their difficult circumstances to define them, nor do they harbor unforgiveness.
God calls us to a higher standard, the standard of Christ's love. "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Just as God forgives us unconditionally when we confess and repent, we are called to forgive others, even when they don’t deserve it. “If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:15). This is not about condoning their actions; it’s about releasing the bitterness that poisons our hearts.
Forgiveness is a choice, a difficult one, but a necessary one. It’s not about feelings; it’s about obedience to God’s Word. Ask God to soften your heart, to give you the strength to forgive. As you release the pain, you’ll find a peace that surpasses all understanding. Start by cultivating gratitude for the good in your life. You have access to God's Word, you can communicate with others, you can pray. Give thanks for the small things, and watch how God transforms your heart. He loves you, just like He loves a Cameron, and He longs to set you free.
