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We should always be quick to forgive those who have done something wrong
against us and not allow our pride to keep us from forgiving them and
reaching the heights of victory that God has prepared. Many times we are
quick to end relationships, sever friendships and seek vengeance towards
the offender instead of realizing that our best option is forgiveness
because it sets us free from holding onto all the bitterness that would
take root in our hearts. When we stay in our bitterness, we are the ones
who suffer most. We suffer in our mind, in our heart, and many times even
in our physical body. Unforgiveness can be compared to having a disease
which is easily cured, and yet we hold on to it refusing to let go.
We must remember that in the same manner that we would seek forgiveness if
we hurt someone else, we must also offer that same forgiveness towards
those who have done something wrong against us. We will quickly find that
forgiveness is to our benefit even more than it is to the recipient. The
benefits of having a forgiving heart are numerous. Forgiveness offers
healing, forgiveness offers restoration, forgiveness offers a new
beginning. Be encouraged to reevaluate how you deal with forgiveness and
realize that you will be blessing your own life by letting go of the hurt
and allowing God to restore peace to your mind, body and spirit. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
I hope this messages inspires and challenges your heart to see the benefits
of forgiveness. Always allow the healing power of forgiveness to rule over
your life because it will bless you more than you can imagine.
HE CAN HEAL THE HURT
Grudge is one of those words that defines itself. Its very sound betrays
its meaning.
Say it slowly: “Grr-uuuud-ge.”
It starts with a growl. “Grr…” Like a bear with bad breath coming out of
hibernation or a mangy mongrel defending his bone in an alley. “Grrr…”
Remove a GR from the word grudge and replace it with SL and you have the
junk that grudge bearers trudge through. Sludge. Black, thick, ankle-deep
resentment that steals the bounce from the step. No joyful skips through
the meadows. No healthy hikes up the mountain. Just day after day of
walking into the storm, shoulders bent against the wind, and feet dragging
through all the muck life has delivered.
Is this the way you are coping with your hurts? Are you allowing your hurts
to turn into hates? If so, ask yourself: Is it working? Has your hatred
done you any good? Has your resentment brought you any relief, any peace?
Has it granted you any joy?
Let’s say you get even. Let’s say you get him back. Let’s say she gets what
she deserves. Let’s say your fantasy of fury runs its ferocious course and
you return all your pain with interest. Imagine yourself standing over the
corpse of the one you have hated. Will you now be free?
The writer of the following letter thought she would be. She thought her
revenge would bring release. But she learned otherwise.
I caught my husband with another woman. He swore it would never happen
again. He begged me to forgive him, but I could not—would not. I was so
bitter and so incapable of swallowing my pride that I could think of
nothing but revenge. I was going to make him pay and pay dearly. I’d have
my pound of flesh.
I filed for divorce, even though my children begged me not to.
Even after the divorce, my husband tried for two years to win me back. I
refused to have anything to do with him. He had struck first; now I was
striking back. All I wanted was to make him pay.
Finally he gave up and married a lovely young widow with a couple of small
children. He began rebuilding his life—without me.
I see them occasionally, and he looks so happy. They all do. And here I
am—a lonely, old, miserable woman who allowed her selfish pride and foolish
stubbornness to ruin her life.
Unfaithfulness is wrong. Revenge is bad. But the worst part of all is that,
without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.
The state of your heart dictates whether you harbor a grudge or give grace,
seek self-pity or seek Christ, drink human misery or taste God’s mercy.
No wonder, then, the wise man begs, “Above all else, guard your heart.”
David’s prayer should be ours: “Create in me a pure heart, O God.”
By Max Lucado
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.”
Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus says, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Romans 12:17-21 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest
in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live
peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather
give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay,
saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst,
give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: HOPE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem31.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: TESTIMONY OF GOD'S LOVE
Click here to read --- http://www.godswork.org/testimony150.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
