Ephesians 4:32 — “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

“When you wake up from the anesthesia, you will not remember anything that happened during the surgery.”

Dr. Fox spoke these words about my recent foot surgery. Her assurance encouraged me as the nurse wheeled me through the hospital corridor. The next thing I knew I was in the recovery room staring at my bandaged foot and wondering how time had passed so quickly. If only other kinds of painful situations could be forgotten so easily.

Living in a fallen world, there is no one who will escape painful moments. Sin causes each of us to be hurt by other’s words and actions. While these often unavoidable circumstances create deep wounds, the path to healing is found in forgiveness.

God says we shouldn’t let bitterness infect our heart, but instead be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving of one another.

When we choose to forgive, we set ourselves free. This doesn’t mean the wound is unreal, but it keeps our heart from developing a deadly infection that makes the pain worse. We must release the anger and bitterness through forgiveness because this is what God has done for us. By forgiving others we release the hold they have on us, and allow God to heal our wounded hearts.

If we are to forgive others the way God in Christ has forgiven us, we must consider what that means. God chooses to forget our sin when we receive His forgiveness.

Forgive and forget? If we choose to forgive someone who has harmed us, how do we forget the injustices we have suffered? It is not easy to release painful memories.

I don’t know of an anesthesia that can cause us to forget completely, but I have found a way to aid in the forgetting process. When a painful memory resurfaces, I immediately ask God to help me in that moment.

God redirects my thoughts, and I choose to let forgiveness win and ask God to help me in the forgetting process. I remind myself that He understands and has everything under control. By trusting Him in the moment, He moves me forward toward healing.

My foot is progressing nicely after the surgery. I am glad I have no recollection of the pain involved in the process. It’s not quite as easy when it comes to other kinds of hurts, but I am especially thankful that God has the power to heal the heart.

By trusting Him completely moment by moment, He will help you and me to forgive and forget just as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us.

Sandra Sheridan is a Midwest wife and mother of five. She shares her messages to her children with Farm World. Visit her at www.VersesFromMama.com