I can't Forgive my Parents

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K

keep_on_smiling

Guest
#21
I agree with LovingtheLord, if you try to look at being kicked out as a good thing it may help you. It sounds like God has blessed you greatly with a job and home. Praise God for that! Forgiveness is hard to do, but you can do it because of Jesus. Keep praying and the desire that you have to forgive them is wonderful. In time you doing this could actually help your parents :) There are so many possibilities. I pray that your visit home will go well. Lean on God for strength :)
 
B

Brighthouse

Guest
#22
Man ofIntegrity I want to make this as simple, as I can! 1. First, can't never did a thing did it? If someone were to say I can't be forgiven,you would rightly tell them they were wrong! And you would prove this as well in scripture! You can forgive, the problem is because you have been hurt, your mind says no! You rather do not wish to forgive!

Sound to hard on you bro? Do not mean to be! But sometimes the Lord in me will be very blunt!

What?? You never needed forgiveness from others? Sure you did! And Bless God you were glad to get it to!
( Matt 18:21-35!!!) Please read this slow and understand, what this is not asking us!! But rather telling us! I know what you are dealing with!! I was kicked out of the house to,but unlike you I deserved it!! I was far from saved,and far from thinking of anyone but myself! Which is excatly what unforgiveness is! They do not deserve it either!! They probably don't!!

And neither did we from Jesus either!!
You are 19 and young, I am 56 and old!! LOL What did you think when you took Jesus as your Savior? Everyone was going to think you were so great? Humm not what God's Word says! ( John 15:18-20!!) And I sure can see why you are having so much problems!! Even as I did!!

You lack getting into the Word!! ( rom 12:1-2) renewing your mind,saying what God says about you,rather then what you feel. ( luke 1:37) Nothing is impossible with God,but you my brother have to believe this to be so! How do you know?? Because our actions speak for what we truly believe!
It took the Lord 3 long years to get them to become saved in him,I made mistakes,but not in LOVE!! Because this is the very nature we claim in Jesus to have, when we believe on his Great name!( 1 John 4:17-19) Notice I do not want you to believe me!! I cannot save anyone!!

But only Jesus can,hence why I show his Word! The same Word I had to discipline myself, as you do to stay in! ( matt 10:21-22!!) ( really read matt 10 bro!!Matt 10:32-42)
It is true most look to what we get from Jesus not what we have to live through him!! I sure had to learn this!! And so do you bro! I did have regrets!!

My dad died whom I hated,I mean I hated,so much so I went number one on his grave site! I wish he would have been here,so I could have told him, I am sorry! He was very mean,and had a great drinking problem,but I was no better either! I became like his nature,I did not know Jesus back then, excuse?? NOPE!!

The Bible collected dust from me as well,I could have read it! I take responsibility for my lack as well! Before we can point our just fingers at another, let us first point to our own lack. In this way, we truly understand what Jesus has really and truly forgiven in our own lives! And then we can understand grace for others! I know it is not easy bro,no one ever said it would be. But we both know something many do not!! To Follow Jesus FEW DO!!!
( Matt 16:24-26) FEW!! Will not only count the cost it takes to serve our Jesus!! But even FEWER will pay the price to follow Jesus! Will YOU?? Only you can answer this my brother in Christ! My prayers are with you!
 

Katy-follower

Senior Member
Jun 25, 2011
2,719
155
63
#23
Here's a thought to hold onto when you need it - what would Jesus do?


God knows your heart and he knows your struggles. You defended him against your parents and I believe you were given good blessings for that. He did say we would suffer persecution.

Matthew 5:10-12: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you"



I think it would be a good witness to your parents, if you were to show them what Christ has done for you in your life and let them see that change.

Pray to God for guidance and strength. Trust in him to be with you through it.

I was held at gunpoint a few years ago and I recently wrote to both inmates, forgiving them for what they did. I felt sorry for them, because they are lost. They don't have Christ in their lives. They made a bad decision that they now are living with for the rest of their lives.


I pray that things work out for you :)
 
W

WanttobeGodly

Guest
#24
Forgive me if I'm saying anything that's been stated here. The Lord has taught me a lot in this area and I pray that He uses my experiences to help you.

Matthew 5:23-24 states
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you; Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

as a few people said already, by you holding onto your anger towards them, it is and in time will be breeding sin. It can also hinder your prayers. It's one thing to be angry at them while you know no better of the importance of forgiveness. But you know now and from this point on to choose to live in anger towards them instead of desiring or seeking God's love for them would be deliberately choosing the enemy.

On another note and viewpoint. Forgiveness can be confusing once you're asked to do it. And only Jesus can help you with this since he is the author of forgiveness and your salvation is a direct result of his forgiveness of you. So much so, that he was willing to shed his pure blood so that you or your parents don't have to shed theirs. The world teaches us that this is a pay back world. That's the way things operate and the way you gain anything is to hold it to your self and don't give it to anybody needy who should have known better. Jesus and his principals are different. If you want to gain your wealth and life in Christ, you need to at least be willing at His call to lose your earthly possessions and even teachings. Just loving him and asking forgiveness for your anger, and asking his heart and viewpoint on the situation should plant the desire to start forgiving them. Start praying for them. This will also be a way that you would be choosing Jesus over dwelling in your anger.

My father died when I was 3. Growing up, my mother has been very cruel to me. She's called me worthless, trash, dog. And there were a lot of other problems/issues with her I was still needing healing from after coming to Christ. Until a year ago I never understood forgiveness, I knew God was calling me to forgive my mother but I had no idea how. I prayed for the ability to forgive her. There were so many old buttons from my mom that even strangers could absent mindedly push while dealing with me which would lead to me being in pain and reminded that I was damaged. I would just tell myself that my mom didn't' know any better because she didn't know God and take the brunt of everything, and that's how I mentally "forgave." God showed me that forgiving is no longer putting the responsibility of not hurting you on the other person but not because they didn't know better. It's also no longer waiting for their heart to change and suddenly apologize and love you again, but rather put the responsibility of perfect love on God. All in all, when anything else is given the responsibility of perfect love and given the power of determining your happiness, they become an Idol. Only God is fit for that platform.

I started praying that God would work in my heart. I wasn't really angry at this point. But I was still in a hopeful waiting state to finally have the perfect loving motherly mom. I was allowing her to be in charge of my happiness and looking to her for love, so the wounds remained because she was unloving. I needed God to heal them. I quit contacting my mom or answering her phone calls for a while just so that I wouldn't be hurt and go back in the cycle with her. Then I got prayer from a specific healing ministry. Afterwards I felt like that area and subject of my life was a blank sheet of paper. Nothing painful, nothing hopeful in my mom. All my hope and love was in God and it felt sooo good to be free from that burden. The next day my mom called wanting to get together and since then she's been a completely different person. I believe in the miracles God can work through prayer. But I always prayed for this healing and it had never come before. God showed me that I had to let go of my mom who I'd made into an idol that I couldn't even forgive before I could be blessed by his love and healing in that place.


I really pray this helps you in tremendous ways.

God Bless you and if THIS is what God has given you straight out of salvation, I can't imagine the wondrous plans for you and wisdom He has to teach you through this.

The Lord just gave me this for you:

Luke 4:16-21

New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,[a]
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”


Imagine how Jesus must have felt going back to his home town. He grew up with him. They probably had misconcieved notions about him and thought that they wouldn't need to hear whatever was coming out of his mouth. AND he practically says he's the savior to them. Jesus is going to use you in amazing ways with your family, but first you need to see his power and His love before their circumstances and "impending" death. Jesus wants you to see your family the way he lovingly desires their hearts and with his eyes and not JUST because they may or may not die soon, but because it's a blessing to be able to love one another through our father's eyes and grow with HIM.
 
C

Consumed

Guest
#25
read col 3:12-17, pray it into being by His grace
 

error

Senior Member
Oct 23, 2009
1,244
10
38
#26
I understand you.

I can't forgive my best friend.I mean i want, but it is not so easy for me to do.

The reason we can't forgive is because of our pride.
 

TheAristocat

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2011
2,150
26
0
#27
A little over a year ago my parents forced me onto the streets with nothing because of my belief in God. I have since been blessed with a job, place to live and a hopeful start on my future in the coming years. Because of the pain I went through because my parents didn't understand what God wanted from me I'm finding it increasingly difficult to forgive them even though I know I should. I believe they are on borrowed time from a lifetime of reckless partying and drug use and I'm concerned if I don't forgive them before they die I will regret it forever... But I just can't seem to do it. Anything please!!!
I think it'd be easier for you to forgive them if they came to you and said they were sorry. Have you talked to them lately?
 
C

CHCSurvivor

Guest
#28
MoI,

Welcome to CC :) I want to tell you that I understand the pain of not being able to forgive parents. My father emotionally and verbally abused me as I was growing up; he questioned everything I didn't and tried to tear me down at every turn. To this day, he still tries to tear down my decisions and make me look bad in front of my family and other people. The thing is, ManofIntegrity, forgiveness is not for the other person - it is for you. The longer you carry anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness towards your parents, the more that you are locked away in prison and hindering your walk with God.

I'm praying,
Survivor
 
Oct 7, 2011
344
12
18
#29
I take a trip back to my home town on November 14. The plan is to go to my parents house and talk to them and hopefully forgive them. I just don't think I'm strong enough to do it when the time comes.
You are correct in saying you are not strong enough to do it. His strength is perfect when our strength is not. And God is the strength of your heart!!

Go with God!
 
M

Muirnin

Guest
#30
Wow Esnipes, thank you for your long post. It was very insightful and obviously one which you have spent a good deal of time sorting through. I will refer back to this one for my own reference.
ManofIntegrity, you are an amazing and strong person who has overcome a tragedy in your life. You have risen above the persecution as a result of your faith!! So what does the Bible say about how to get beyond these types of strife? I refer to Phillipians 4 where Paul writes a letter from jail at a time when food and water were not provided by the jail and beatings were a part of the environment. Paul in Phillipians 4 tells us how to be content in all things.
 
M

ManofIntegrity

Guest
#31
I think it'd be easier for you to forgive them if they came to you and said they were sorry. Have you talked to them lately?
I expected to be invited to previous family gatherings like Christmas and such, but was told not to come.
 

TheAristocat

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2011
2,150
26
0
#32
I expected to be invited to previous family gatherings like Christmas and such, but was told not to come.
Yeah, that's rough. I'd say just pray to God and say, "Father, you know who is in the right and who is in the wrong. This situation is in your hands. Help me to forgive and to move on in my own life. May your wisdom lead us all." Can't make someone treat you nicely if they're adamantly opposed to the idea. That's a lesson I've had to learn myself. Some people are just hopeless until God works in their lives.
 

pickles

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
63
#33
I understand the difficulty of forgiveness for a parent.
It took time for me to forgive my father for his abuse and abandonment.
Finaaly I ask Jesus to fill me with His love and forgiveness for Him.
It took small steps, a little at a time, :) but soon my heart was filled with a great love and forgiveness that I never could have done without Jesus.
Let go of what should have been, and look to Jesus and what can be.
For it is in Jesus that the perfect love is found. :)

God bless
pickles
 
L

leasamimee

Guest
#34
A little over a year ago my parents forced me onto the streets with nothing because of my belief in God. I have since been blessed with a job, place to live and a hopeful start on my future in the coming years. Because of the pain I went through because my parents didn't understand what God wanted from me I'm finding it increasingly difficult to forgive them even though I know I should. I believe they are on borrowed time from a lifetime of reckless partying and drug use and I'm concerned if I don't forgive them before they die I will regret it forever... But I just can't seem to do it. Anything please!!!
Brother Unforgiveness and anger is simply punishing yourself. You should let this go and set yourself free.

Remeber this: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Godbless brother .
 
A

angelheart2011

Guest
#35
I have been homeless and very out of sorts with my parents and suffering from the long term affects of depression and problems within my family. I came to know Jesus while on the street and about nine months into my conversion I got a letter from my parents making various accusations because they had got to know what I had been into as a non christian. I responded by writing back and bluntly asking them, where they had been over the last twenty years in my life and telling them off for being so judgemental. At the time I knew that I should not have posted the letter, but I did and they responded by writing back and saying that, 'I was no longer their son and no longer welcome.' A well meaning christian gave me some money so that I could go back and sort things out with them, I went back to my home city, but just couldn't go to the house, instead I slept rough and took the train back to my new city. Although I sent postcards and tried to explain my faith in brief, I was not reconciled to them until my mothers funeral, she died without seeing me again, though my father was very willing to forgive and let the past be forgotten. Long before that I had forgiven my parents, but i did it with the Holy Spirits help, forgiving them as things came to mind and not trying to do it all in my strength or all at once in one go, it took some years, but piece by piece that forgiveness was put into my heart. The good thing about letting the Holy Spirit lead the forgiveness is that he knows just how much we can take and deal with at any one time.
 
J

Jullianna

Guest
#36
ManofIntegrity, my heart goes out to you. I was hoping that you would have seen them by now and made peace on some level. My son is your age and I can't even begin to imagine him out in this world alone. But..you're not really alone, are you? God is obviously with you and so are our love and prayers.

Regarding forgiveness, I find that the more I pray for someone, the easier it is to forgive them. The more God shows me how very lost someone is and how wretched their life must be for them to behave as they do, the more compassion stirs in me. He helps me to see them as He sees them....lost and empty. I think too that TELLING them that you forgive them would be a first step for you. God will help you mean it. It works kinda like this:
Mark 9:24 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
 
Mar 11, 2009
463
2
0
#37
A little over a year ago my parents forced me onto the streets with nothing because of my belief in God. I have since been blessed with a job, place to live and a hopeful start on my future in the coming years. Because of the pain I went through because my parents didn't understand what God wanted from me I'm finding it increasingly difficult to forgive them even though I know I should. I believe they are on borrowed time from a lifetime of reckless partying and drug use and I'm concerned if I don't forgive them before they die I will regret it forever... But I just can't seem to do it. Anything please!!!
Forgive them not there actions

Love a friendin God
 

GOD_IS_LOVE

Senior Member
Mar 16, 2009
306
4
18
#38
You've been so blessed to suffer like this for the Lord: "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him." (Philipians 1:29) As to them, they were blinded by Satan in all they did, he was behind it all. Remember Jesus' prayer on the cross: "Forgive them for they know not what they are doing." God bless you and may He have mercy on their souls!