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There are many moments in life when we become angry with others because of
something they said or did against us. We hold on to grudges much longer
than we ever should and instead of forgiving others of their infractions,
we fester, we hate and we refuse to forgive. What we must quickly realize
in these situations is that we are hurting ourselves much more than anyone
else could ever hurt us. One theologian surmised that holding on to
unforgiveness is similar to ingesting poison and hoping the other person
dies. When we refuse to forgive and move on with life, we are in essence
tying our own hands and locking up our soul and spirit in a prison with no
hope of ever being released. When we forgive the transgressions of
others, we are acknowledging before God that just as we have fallen short
before Him and received forgiveness, we also extend that same forgiveness
towards those who have something wrong against us.
We must have a forgiving heart for our own peace of mind. When we refuse
to forgive, that hatred eats at us little by little until we are consumed
by it. By harboring unforgiveness, your thoughts will continue to remind
you of how you've been hurt and that constant rehashing will eventually
poison your thoughts and will steal every ounce of joy and peace that had
once flourished from within your being. So why allow unforgiveness to
rule your life? Why give the enemy the satisfaction of holding your life
hostage? Realize that forgiveness is to your benefit just as much as it
is to the one you are forgiving. Let your life move on to the heights of
victory that God has for you. Move on from every situation that once held
you down and become all that God wants for you to be. Do not allow your
wings to be clipped by unforgiveness, but rather see the benefits that
your life can have and in doing so spread your wings and reach the heights
of victory that are waiting in your future.
Believe and receive for yourself that forgiveness is to your benefit. No
matter what others have done to you, forgive them and move on with your
life. Do not allow yourself to be tied down and imprisoned any longer,
but rather take hold of the keys to your life and fulfill your life's
purpose. You will find joy and peace restored to your soul again and you
will see with clear and refreshed eyes how beneficial it is to have a
forgiving heart towards others.
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to see that
forgiveness is to your benefit in the end just as much as it is to those
who have hurt you in times past.
THE DANGER ZONE
Anger is just one letter short of danger -- it seems to be as true in
English as well as in practice. Dr. Bedford Williams at Duke University
has determined that students who score high on a “hostility test” are in
far greater danger of dying young than their peers. In fact, those who are
prone to anger are in greater physical danger than those who smoke, have
high blood pressure or even high cholesterol.
Not that we should never be angry. It is a normal part of life. We all get
“worked up,” “overheated” or just plain “hopping mad” at times. Those
closest to us know it best. (Just ask my kids!)
One little boy said about his mother: “When she starts to act real weird,
you have to look scared and serious. Don't giggle. When mommies are mad,
they get madder when you giggle.”
The good news is that simply getting angry does not seem to be the
problem. Well-directed anger can be a helpful emotion. But Staying angry
is dangerous -- to our health and to our relationships.
Here are four simple steps that can help move us out of the danger zone
when we feel as if our hostility is running the show.
Control it. Uncontrolled anger will take over.
Talk it out. Don't keep it in and let it fester.
Act on it. Do what needs to be done to resolve the situation. Helplessness
will only provoke more anger and, eventually, despair.
End it. Just as there is a starting point for anger, there must be an
ending. Make a decision not to prolong destructive hostility.
It can help to remember that for every minute we're angry, we lose sixty
seconds of happiness and sixty seconds of peace. The sooner we get out of
the danger zone, the sooner we can get back to truly living.
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Matthew 5:43-45 Jesus says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye
may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His
sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and
on the unjust.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but
ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
Mark 11:24-26 Jesus declares, “...What things soever ye desire, when ye
pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye
stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father
also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not
forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Colossians 3:12-15 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any
man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of
perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which
also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: DOES YESTERDAY BELONG TO TODAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem122.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: IT DID HAPPEN TO US
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony59.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
