I Forgive You: No More Chains

By Serlena A. Parks

If you have ever had to struggle with forgiveness, you picked up the right book. Most of us have had to deal with forgiving someone or having to ask someone for forgiveness. Or sadly running from the idea of forgiveness altogether. Whatever the case, being able to forgive has the power to change your life.

This book has been written by the leading of the Holy Spirit. I have carried the burden of forgiveness most of my life. While some subjects were hard to talk about, I have shared some of my life experiences. I believe God has a plan for your life, and it is time to let go of everything that has held you down. As we go through this book, I will break down how the enemy wants to steal your joy and your life by keeping you in bondage.

According to John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” I pray that by the time you have concluded this book your life has been changed. Everything that you have hold on to will be loosed, and you’ll be set free. Jesus came that you may have life and enjoy life in abundance.

Learning to forgive is for you. It is the power that frees you. I have used my love for others as a guide to write every word written. Except God led me in the writing of this book; otherwise, it would not exist. May you be set free. No more chains.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685709440

Book preview

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I Forgive You

No More Chains

Serlena A. Parks

Copyright © 2022 by Serlena A. Parks

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

All biblical citations were taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible unless otherwise indicated.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Where I First Saw Unforgiveness

A Seed of Unforgiveness Planted

It’s Not Fair

Let It Out Before It Takes You Out

I Know What You Did to Me

Unwanted

Self-Reflect First

Unintentional Offense

Life Extended

I Forgive Me

I Feel Justified

Love Unconditionally

This book is dedicated to my loving mother, Barbara Ann Blow Hopson. Sadly, she passed away on October 3, 2016. When I think of her, I can still feel the touch of her skin and the smell of her as I hugged her. She is the place where I began. The place where my heart beat for the first time. From the day I was placed in her womb, my life was being shaped. I am who I am today because she was my mother. To my mother with love, I love you always.

To my sister LaVet Valerie Ward Freeman, as we pray and encourage one another through life, this book is dedicated to your life and your willingness to forgive.

To my children Voniqua, Tiffany, Shanika, Cierra, Lee Jr., Mike; my grandchildren; and generation after generation, always remember to forgive and love unconditionally.

Preface

This book has been written by the leading of the Holy Spirit. I spent most of my life feeling broken by the idea of unforgiveness. Everywhere I turn, I see people struggling to forgive. Most of them are really loving and giving people. So what is holding them back from being able to let go and forgive?

I believe forgiveness is a burden God gave me to carry. I have not only seen unforgiveness, but I had to experience a life that could have made it difficult to forgive. I have used my life experiences and my love for others as a guide to write this book. Except God lead me in the writing of this book; otherwise, it would not exist.

Acknowledgments

Ithank God, my father, for giving me the opportunity to write this book. I am unable to write without the power of the Holy Spirit.

To my husband, Hurley Wayne Parks, who stands by me and allows me to follow my dreams.

To all my siblings, I love you. Thank you for being the people God put in my life to love and to be loved by you.

To my pastor, Dr. Christopher C. Carter of New Hope Baptist in Hampton, Virginia, who could see things in me I could not see myself.

To Pastor Dr. Teresa Lassiter and Pastor Johnny Lassiter, my professors who pushed me to use my gifts.

To my DM Kate Watson for her continuous encouragement, which can make my worst day feel better.

To our management team, Erica, Angela, Heather, Heaven, Shontice, Nicole (Nikki), Areaonna, Lakeisha, Emma, Sheridan, Jayce, Dimaya, Ashlin, and coworkers at Forever 21 and Walmart, as we inspire one another to walk in love and forgiveness.

To everyone I have encountered and witness unforgiveness. You inspired me to write this book. I pray that we can make the world a better place to live.

Introduction

If you have ever struggled with being able to forgive, this book is for you. Everyone has their own belief on how they see God. Forgiveness is what we all must learn to do despite our religious belief. I ask you to stick with me through this book. I believe it will change your life and help you come to terms with forgiveness.

A lot of the things you will read were difficult to write. However, in no way is it meant to break down anyone’s character. I speak a lot about my mother, my friend. I am who I am today because of her. She lived a complicated life and was always looking to be loved. Somehow, she was unable to let go of hurt and offenses against her, making it impossible for her to forgive.

As we go through this book, we will talk about why it is so hard to forgive and how you can learn to forgive and live a life without regret. According to John 10:10, The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

If you will stay with me through this book, I pray you will be delivered and set free of every broken place in your life. God has a plan for you, and it is time to live a life more abundantly. I will break down how the enemy wants to keep you from being free of guilt, anger, rejection, shame, and pain. Jesus came that you may be set free and have a life filled with joy, hope, peace, and love.

My prayer before I begin.

Dear heavenly Father,

I believe you have given me this book to write. I believe you have given me this burden to touch the world and remind them that we are loved by you, and you want to bring healing. I glorify you, Father. Let every word that is written be guided by your hands. Open my ears to hear from you. Open my heart and the heart of everyone that reads this book that we will be transformed. We need healing, and we want to be made into your likeness. Heal us, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that we learn to forgive as you do. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen!

Chapter 1

Where I First Saw Unforgiveness

We have all been hurt by somebody at some point in our life. It is usually someone we love the most. Maybe that’s someone we open our hearts to and let in. At the time, we believe they would never hurt us. It could also come from people we are born connected to like a family member. Whatever the case is, it can be hard to forgive and let go of the pain. But to be free to live, we must learn to forgive no matter who hurt us or why.

Unforgiveness can cause one to be weighed down and unable to enjoy life. Every time we hold unforgiveness, we add another link to the chain. Yes, that unseen chain we carry and continue to add link after link. Eventually, we have so much deadweight in our life we cannot find joy and peace in anyone or anything. We begin to lose trust and believe no one can be trusted. Sadly, when you look back, you realize you are not the person you used to be.

Where did you go? How did you get here? Life can be difficult, and people are indecisive. We can learn to understand people’s differences without allowing them to infect our lives. People do not define you. You get to decide who you are by the choices you make and how you choose to live.

Before I go further, I want to be clear. I know other people have suffered in ways that feels like it is unforgivable. I get it, and we will talk more about that kind of pain and injustice later in this book. But I want to