bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Colossians 3:13 (ESV) It happens all the time to varying degrees. Sometimes I get slighted. Sometimes I feel disrespected. Sometimes my feelings get hurt a little... or a lot. Sometimes the hurt is very deep and very serious. Sometimes I get angry and want to hold a grudge. It happens all the time, but my God, Jesus, tells me to let go and to forgive regardless the level of the pain.
My choice to forgive does not require an apology from the one I deem guilty. My choice to forgive requires giving the hurt to Jesus. I must trust that God has everything in his power. I must remember the irreconcilable debt that has been lifted from me. I have been forgiven for all of my sin because Jesus, through his blood on the cross, payed off my sin-debt to God the Father. If anyone has a right to hold a grudge it was him, but He was born, lived, died, and rose from the dead to set me (and you) free through faith in Jesus Christ. Practicing forgiveness, a lot like maintaining my prayer life or Bible study times, must be a regular part of my faith walk and happen continuously. Truly forgiving someone is so unnatural. True forgiveness can only be done in Christ Jesus, but it's essential in a relationship with the ultimate Forgiver. I found the book Choosing Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss very helpful in learning to choose forgiveness in the freedom of Christ. I have to practice giving my heartache to God and trusting Him to heal it. Is there someone who you struggle to forgive in your life, Child of God? In prayer, bring that person and your pain to Jesus' feet, forever scarred by the cross, and ask Him to take it all and teach you to forgive. Our burden is so much lighter when we do. You are in my prayers. To God be the glory, Sarah Would you pray with me? Jesus, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51: 10) Lord, please forgive me, renew me, and lead me on the path of everlasting life. In Jesus name I pray, amen. Reflection: Who in my life is hardest to forgive when they wrong me? Why? Faith-In-Action: Confess your hurt, anger, and trouble forgiving _(that person/those people)_ to God. Ask Him to right the wrong. Release the hurt to Him. Read Isaiah 53:5 and pray it over yourself remembering your forgiveness in Jesus.
0 Comments
|
Be Blessed WordsFrom devotions, to encouragments, to reviews, to visual-theology, to Bible savorings-- you'll find it all right here in this Christ-centered section of Be Blessed Prayer, Be Blessed Words. ArchivesCategories
All
|