Wow! It's been almost a week since my last post. The time has just been flying! I really want to know how we can request more hours in the day and more weeks to our summer. I get up early and go to bed late because there's so much I want to accomplish in a day. Oh, well...what can you do? =]
Matthew 5:7~Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
I just finished teaching a little series on Forgiveness in my ladies group. It's something that I really felt was necessary. I felt like I needed these ladies (and myself) to really understand that as long as we are carrying unforgiveness, grudges, guilt, etc...we are not fully allowing ourselves to move on. How can we serve others and live freely if we don't want to forgive?
Forgiveness does not mean that you are forgetting or accepting or approving whatever has happened. It is not a feeling, it's not trusting that person again, it's not pretending you weren't hurt, and it's not even reconciliation.
Forgiveness is a DECISION. It is a decision to obey God, but no one - not even God, can make you forgive. It is up to you.
Ephesians 4:32 ~ "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Forgiveness can protect the forgiver from himself.
Forgiveness is an act of grace.
Surprisingly, one of the most needed lessons I taught was on "Forgiving Yourself". How many of us carry guilt from our past? Regrets that haunt your present day?
Psalm 25:7~Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
You may be thinking of something you did or even something that was done to you and you blame yourself. This can hinder you from living a free life!
I am sorry, friend, but there is nothing you can do to change the past. You need to decide to let those things go. Forgive them...forgive yourself.
You can choose to wallow in the pain and disappointment or you can walk away from those memories and start creating new ones.
Don't use what has happened as a crutch of disability. Face those things head on, move them out of your way and go forward.
If Christ can forgive all sins, why is it so hard to forgive ourselves? That burden is keeping you in bondage. It is like carrying an extra weight...and let's not get into how tiring that is!
There are people that have physical illness from carrying around an unforgiving spirit.
Problems with high blood pressure, stress, hostility, depression, etc. can creep up on you and stay with you as long as you are holding on to the past. Let it go. Give it to God.
1 Peter 5:7~Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
I bid you peace and freedom today my friends! There is much to be done.
4 comments:
“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.”
~ Catherine Ponder
“You can't undo anything you've already done, but you can face up to it. You can tell the truth. You can seek forgiveness. And then let God do the rest.”
WOW! What a post! I can relate so much to what you said. I so agree the healing part will not start until you make the DECISION of forgiving. Forgiving your self or some one is the most hardest thing that we have to do. Thank you for posting this and sharing your leason with us it touched my heart in many ways!!!!
Nadya
I love this post. Just want I needed. Thanks for shaing!
This resonates with the celebration going on in my heart and home today. As well as what God placed on my heart to share through Higher Grounds. Thank you for this, more confirmation and something that we all need...to walk in forgiveness of others and self.
Lovingly, Yolanda
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