FORGIVENESS How do you know if forgiveness has taken place? Youll know that you are forgiven if you can let Gods love flow through you to that person, says Doug Easter day. If the person walked in, would you let that love be expressed? If you answered no, then forgiveness has not taken place. Well, he or she doesnt deserve it. Then forgiveness has not fully taken place. Well, I dont know if I can. Then forgiveness needs to go deeper. Forgiveness is like an onion; there are layers to it. The first layer of an onion is still an onion, but there is more onion underneath. Forgiveness often has layers to it. Forgiveness is not entirely complete until all the layers are gone, and then you can say, I can forgive, because I choose to. When you can let the Lord flow His love through you, then you can say, I know that Im walking right with God in forgiveness. When you have forgiven, you are free and released from self-induced bondage. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15). *Father, grant me the ability to forgive and free my heart to love again. Amen.* Death often happens in the context of medical decisions, family choices, and reactions. The situation is often attended with uncertainty and a high level of stress. Because of this it is often easy to feel unforgiveness toward some people who were involved. I believe that unless you are willing to forgive, says Kay Arthur, you will not be healed. If you truly desire to get your heart right with God and to heal, you must forgive as God has forgiven you. If I dont forgive, what Im saying is that what the person did to me is more important to me than going on with God, states Doug Easterday. Are you willing to be healed? Then forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13). *Lord, I do want healing. Enable me to forgive. Amen.* Forgiveness is getting your heart right with God by making the choice to forgive others and by receiving His forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean you are relieving someone of responsibility for his or her actions. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean you trust that person. Forgiveness is the act of letting Gods love flow through you. Think about the above definition for a moment. Doug Easterday says, Youre not alleviating responsibility from anyone by forgiving them. You are transferring it to where it really belongs and thats with God. They will answer to God someday, but if youre requiring them to answer to you, then you have as big a problem as they do. Forgiveness is obedience to God. Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21-22). *Lord, it is only by Your power that I can forgive. Keep me from destroying myself with unforgiveness. Amen.* as grief impacted your body as well as your mind? Physical problems can run the gamut, says Dr. H. Norman Wright. There can be stomachaches, headaches, anxiety, rapid pulse, heaviness of heart. It can affect your blood pressure. Sleep disturbances come as insomnia or sleeping ten, twelve, or fourteen hours a day. You lack energy, just plodding through the day, looking at the clock, hoping its time to go to bed. How you feel physically can deeply affect how you feel emotionally. So make sure that the basics are covered. Eat healthy food, exercise on a consistent basis, and get plenty of sleep. Remember, healing is a journey you travel both physically and mentally. Face each difficulty one day at a time, one step at a time, until its completion. Counter each problem with the assurance of Scripture. Remain faithful till the end, and you will be victorious over every problem that sets itself up against you during this time. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37). *In You, victorious Lord, I am more than a conqueror over these physical problems. Show me how to endure and to win! Amen
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 08:47:05 +0000