When you’re incapable of disconnecting yourself from past pain and trauma, it impedes your ability to walk in the success you desire. Think about it. How often do you allow the pain someone may have caused you in the past to come up again and again in the present? Geremy Dixon wastes no time jumping into this topic. Join me as I sit down with my very own pastor and discuss all the parts of forgiveness you didn’t know you needed.
In this episode, Geremy shares excerpts from his Unstuck Series – a 5-part series covering UnLoad, UnPlug, UnCover, UnShackle and UnSubscribe. This episode focuses particularly on UnShackle, as we dive into what it means to forgive and how critical forgiveness is to our own well-being and success.
This episode is brought to you by our complimentary Purpose Chasers Community. Connect with like-minded listeners of the Redefining Wealth Podcast who all desire to improve in the Six Pillars of Wealth.
 
About Geremy Dixon
Pastor Geremy has served as associate and now Lead Pastor for over 18 years at Center of Hope LA in Inglewood, CA. Known for his approachable demeanor and common-sense method to Kingdom living, he has the unique ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life. Pastor Geremy’s particular blend of humor, inspiration and sound biblical grounding has opened doors for him to be a guest facilitator and well-sought-after speaker at churches, conferences and conventions, both nationally and internationally. Articulate, passionate and driven he is one of the emerging voices proclaiming God’s desire to establish His Kingdom in the marketplace.
 
Actively Pursue Forgiveness
“As long as we’re not actively pursuing forgiveness, we’re standing at the gate of incarceration for everyone we’ve ever held in contempt.” – Pastor Geremy
Pastor Geremy says the way in which we legitimize past pain and trauma is by highlighting the fact that what took place necessitates some sort of punishment. We seem to believe that it necessitates some act that rights the wrong, and that we have to be the one to make sure the “wrongful” person has paid their debt to us in some way.
If we’re not careful though, as we seek to bring about justice in someone else’s life, we find ourselves having to stay until the proceedings are over or the sentence is served. So, now imagine having to live guarding the gate of someone who has a life sentence. Think about how often you’d think about the pain they caused on a minute-by-minute, day-by-day and year-by-year basis. Sadly, and painfully, it would always be right there.
And yet, there’s a world out there waiting for us and all that we have to offer, but when unforgiveness creeps in, our mind shifts from all that’s available to the pain and brokenness, and we can’t forgive, forget or move on.                                                                         
How many times has this happened to you?
 
Arrest/Pre-Arrest Investigation
“Before we can give forgiveness, we have to get clarity around whether what we’re offended about really happened.” – Pastor Geremy
Think of it how Pastor Geremy does and ask yourself these questions:
Did I see it myself?
Who are the people bringing it to my attention? Are they credible?
Is it a misunderstanding?
Do I assume certain people see me a certain way?
Do I feel offended not because something was wrong, but because I wanted it a different way?
For many people, we hold grudges with people who didn’t do anything to begin with. And in a lot of cases, we find out that unforgiveness is not necessary because there wasn’t really anything wrong to begin with.
That’s why it’s so important to investigate these past offenses and to clearly understand what took place. 
 
The Arraignment
This is where Pastor Geremy says the “wrongful” individual gets to hear exactly what they’re being charged with. 
If and when it’s possible and safe, it’s imperative for the process of forgiveness to be able to sit with the person who has offended or harmed you and