A few days ago, a friend of mine requested that I blog about forgiveness. It wasn't until tonight that I finally felt confident enough to touch on such a complex, multi-dimensional issue. After all, what kind of authority do I have to speak on forgiveness when I haven't so much as forgiven myself in a variety of ways?
So, let me start off by asking you, have you forgiven someone, including yourself, who had an adverse effect on your life? How do we know if we have? Sometimes we go through life unaware of this constant gnawing at the very depths of our hearts. We may subconsciously try to bury it in order to escape the pain, or we may be consciously doing so in order to mask the shame or guilt that consumes us. Either way, you are suppressing a very natural feeling which may in turn give way to resentment towards the wrongdoer if not addressed appropriately. Sometimes this person is aware of it, sometimes they are not. And it hurts even more to believe that the latter may be true, for they are able to walk around with a clear conscience, while you are left to pick up the pieces. All in all, what is being resolved if we feed into the negativity? All you really gain is an attachment to these very sentiments that have ruled your life up until this point. Have you become so accustomed to feeding into this past hurt that you now identify with it? Yikes! I can vouch and that is not a very safe place to be.
Some of us may have taken an additional step, seeking revenge against those who played a role in the wrongdoing. In response to this, I shall paraphrase Romans 12:19. We have no authority over those who have sinned against us. We instead should "leave room" for God to step into the fire and drag us out. He will extinguish the fiery flames that torment your life. You have no business staring into the face of the flame or you will continue to get burned. Trust that God is dealing with your tormentors accordingly.
Another friend of mine, without even realizing the dilemma I was in, sent me a link entitled "Luggage". It touched on exactly what I wanted to discuss in this posting. So, without further adieu, I bring it to you. My lesson for today comes along with visual aid! It makes my life a lot easier! Let me know what you think! Make sure to watch both parts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kOGo2yn5rs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sgeyT7AcCg
I pray that all who read this experience a wave of forgiveness that will wash up upon the shores of their hearts. And as the wave retracts back to the sea, I pray that it will carry along with it, the hurt, the painful memories, and the shame that has weighed heavy on them for so long. In addition, I pray that God will break any spirit of vengeance that they may feel towards those who have hurt them. That battle is not theirs to fight.
Until next week, my brothers and sisters in Christ, feel encouraged that tomorrow is a new day. A day to forgive. A day to stop up the leak that has allowed the spirit of resentment and/or vengeance to infiltrate your pure heart. Trust that you are strong enough to block out the painful memories that persist on haunting you day after day. They are no longer your reality. They are just figments of your mind and they belong where they were created--in the past.
Let's instead open our minds to the future possibility of freedom that comes at the expense of a clear conscience and a light heart. We will soon be jet-setting to an eternity in paradise and no baggage is needed. So, travel light!
Blessings over you and your household, my friends....
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