"Don't grieve God. Don't break His heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you."
~Ephesians 4:30-32, The Message
I was reading my devotional today and this scripture started it out. It was all about forgiveness, and what can happen if we choose not to forgive. Yesterday's sermon was along the same lines so I know that God was trying to get my attention. You see, for many months now, I have been trying to work through a difficult situation with someone that, (at least from MY perspective) has been unwilling to cooperate. I have always known that healing comes from the Lord, and that I need to choose to forgive people whether or not they ask for forgiveness. BUT I found myself trying to convince this person to talk through the issues with me to help us both understand one another to no avail. I allowed this "brick wall" of sorts to stand in the way of my receiving healing from the Lord on the issues associated with this difficult situation. But God has made that plain to me now, so I have decided to forgive and move on, allowing God to work healing into my life. I hope you can learn from my mistakes and look only to God for your significance. God's approval is the only One you need. Man's approval is nice, but our very worth is found in God alone. And the quicker we can forgive others, the quicker God can work in and through us.
1 comment:
This is such a powerful principle and something that we (should I say "I") have a hard time getting through this thick skull of mine. You are so right, we try to force people to deal with stuff the way "we want it dealt with", when what we're really doing is holding on to all the junk. God wants us to let go and give it to Him. I pray that the Lord will continue to do this in my heart. Thank you for the reminder. (I didn't get to hear Sunday's message cuz I was in Children's Church, but I am going to get the CD - I heard it was powerful!!)
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