Seeking Forgiveness
My sister in law refuses to forgive me for an argument that happened last year. I asked for forgiveness and apologized for what I did wrong, but she has never acknowledged any of her wrong-doing and refuses to speak to me. Please help me. I am having a hard time with this.
Q. My sister in law refuses to forgive me for an argument that happened last year. I asked for forgiveness and apologized for what I did wrong, but she has never acknowledged any of her wrong-doing and refuses to speak to me. She has basically cut me out of her life. She was a Catholic who converted to Judaism.
I was just wondering where do I go from here? The hurt is enormous, I have often cried myself to sleep. I feel anger and resentment and at the same time, I want things to be better and I want reconciliation. But she won’t have anything to do with me.
I was just wondering what the Bible has to say to those who are hurting and yearning for forgiveness? I feel my heart breaking because I love her. She expresses much animosity and hatred towards me for a small thing that was blown out of proportion … something that neither I, nor anyone else I have spoken to about it, feels justifies her anger or hatred or unforgiveness. Please help me. I am having a hard time with this.
A. As a new Christian I felt the Lord telling me to forgive someone who had hurt me. It took all my courage to approach him after church one Sunday, but I did it. He responded by justifying his actions and basically blew me off. I was crushed.
When I asked the Lord why it turned out that way, He said, “The other person’s response is irrelevant. His sin remains and it’s between him and me. You, however, have been faithful and that’s all I expect.” Understanding that gave me peace.
Your ongoing feelings of distress tell me that you still feel guilt for what you’ve done. Understand that once you’ve asked the Lord and the other party for forgiveness, any remaining guilt you feel is from Satan trying to keep you from receiving the peace your faithfulness has earned.
The Lord has forgiven you. Ask Him to take away your anger, and keep praying for your sister-in-law. (Matt. 5:44) Receive the peace He’s promised you. (Phil 4:7) Rebuke Satan in His name for tormenting you, and he’ll stop. (James 4:7) Once you’re at peace about this, your sister-in-law will see that her guilt trip isn’t working and she’ll come around.
