Forgiveness
I know that forgiveness is not an emotion but a choice. Yet the pain the wound another inflicts on us - intentionally or unintentionally - hurts, sometimes with every fiber of our being.
I know this pain well. I know what it is like to nearly throw up, faint, tremble hours on end and cry as if my loved one died. It is gut wrenching and unpleasant, to say the least. Yesterday and today I was reminded of Jesus' "last days" on Earth. I cannot imagine how awful His suffering was - not just the physical but the emotional pain alone! It made my pain almost seem luxurious. It's then that I think, if Jesus found it in His heart to forgive me and all who wrong Him, then surely, with His help, I can find it in my heart to forgive as well.
I have learned it is okay to cry. You do not always have to be "super strong." Crying is not failure. If anything, you are being real with yourself and allowing yourself to lean on the LORD, completely. He wants to do amazing healing and restoration in you. Let Him take care of the rest. When you feel tears coming on, let them come. It is part of the healing. Let the tears be liquid prayers as words may elude you. Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you. He will restore you. Vengeance is His. Trust in Him and lean not on your own understanding, but in all that you do put Him first and He will make your paths right. The Lord will strengthen you. He cares for you.
In my 'iChoose2 Love My Life' book I was encouraged to write letters to those that I forgive - not with the intention of sending those letters. Choosing to forgive is hard, as you are well aware. The physical act of writing a letter is a tangible way to "take hold" of that choice and then let it go. That is simply what I did. I tore the paper up and let it fall to the ground. Prior to tearing it up I read my words aloud. Let me tell you, it was way easier -as if it were easy- to write it. It was a whole other story hearing my voice say the words. My goodness, talk about feeling the tears comin' on and choosing to let them flow! Oh how deep the sobs were, they came from a place deep within that I did not know existed. Perhaps part of the crying was because I felt the Lord's presence hold me like a little girl and I felt safe to cry it out. All I know was that it was liberating and led me into areas that I needed to ask forgiveness myself. It was so very good.
In Your Time:
I know this pain well. I know what it is like to nearly throw up, faint, tremble hours on end and cry as if my loved one died. It is gut wrenching and unpleasant, to say the least. Yesterday and today I was reminded of Jesus' "last days" on Earth. I cannot imagine how awful His suffering was - not just the physical but the emotional pain alone! It made my pain almost seem luxurious. It's then that I think, if Jesus found it in His heart to forgive me and all who wrong Him, then surely, with His help, I can find it in my heart to forgive as well.
I have learned it is okay to cry. You do not always have to be "super strong." Crying is not failure. If anything, you are being real with yourself and allowing yourself to lean on the LORD, completely. He wants to do amazing healing and restoration in you. Let Him take care of the rest. When you feel tears coming on, let them come. It is part of the healing. Let the tears be liquid prayers as words may elude you. Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you. He will restore you. Vengeance is His. Trust in Him and lean not on your own understanding, but in all that you do put Him first and He will make your paths right. The Lord will strengthen you. He cares for you.
In my 'iChoose2 Love My Life' book I was encouraged to write letters to those that I forgive - not with the intention of sending those letters. Choosing to forgive is hard, as you are well aware. The physical act of writing a letter is a tangible way to "take hold" of that choice and then let it go. That is simply what I did. I tore the paper up and let it fall to the ground. Prior to tearing it up I read my words aloud. Let me tell you, it was way easier -as if it were easy- to write it. It was a whole other story hearing my voice say the words. My goodness, talk about feeling the tears comin' on and choosing to let them flow! Oh how deep the sobs were, they came from a place deep within that I did not know existed. Perhaps part of the crying was because I felt the Lord's presence hold me like a little girl and I felt safe to cry it out. All I know was that it was liberating and led me into areas that I needed to ask forgiveness myself. It was so very good.
In Your Time:
- Psalm 6:8;
- James 4:8;
- Psalm 23:4;
- Deuteronomy 32:35;
- Romans 12:19;
- Proverbs 3:5;
- Matthew 6:33;
- Exodus 14:14;
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3
- Psalm 46:10
- 1 Peter 5:7
I love God's word. I love that He shared these accounts and letters with us. They remind me how amazing the Lord is; He never changes and will be faithful to care for you and I always.
If you so happen to have read to the end, I sure hope you were encouraged and/or challenged to forgive. Bitterness can be a dark place to be. Forgiving is certainly liberating!
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