The Power of Forgiveness: Testimony by Gina Fadely

While visiting home last year, Mom turned to me and said, “I sure hope my hip feels better before the trip”. I responded excitedly, “THE trip? The big one you told me you wanted all of us to go on together? Are we going? Did it work out?” Mom said, “Oh Fortell you now as I knew this would upset you more if you heard about it later.” I was speechless. I walked outside, fell on my knees, and wept.

One side of forgiveness is when you have hurt others. Another side is when someone hurts you. Although you may not be able to stop others from hurting you, you are responsible for how you respond. In my response to my family, I did not want to sin. I did not want to cause more damage to myself or my family relationships. I did not want to be dealing with this issue again years from now. I needed help and accountability.

I immediately met with my pastor and asked him to help me respond correctly. He first had me recognize and repent of my own sin in the matter, in this case, the sin of judging my family for “not including me”, “rejecting me”, “not liking me”, etc. I then chose to forgive my family, prayed out prayers of forgiveness, and asked God to release my anger and disappointment. As healing continues within my own family, I must crucify any unforgiving thoughts, feelings, and actions so as to not allow a “root of bitterness” to spring up [Hebrews 12:14-15].

I recently returned home again to spend the Christmas holidays with my family. There I watched the memorial service for our fellow YWAMers, Tiffany and Phillip, who had been shockingly murdered at our Colorado ministry center. After this service, their families met with the murderer’s parents to extend forgiveness. The media could hardly believe it. In the very act of forgiveness, both the forgiver and the forgiven are set free. Christ forgave us of so much; how can we not forgive others as He has commanded?

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The Power of Forgiveness: Testimony by Steve Good