I have covered a lot of different topics in my blog. Society, paths, bad days, father’s love, becoming a child, quiet moments, changing ourselves first, cracks, how we treat enemies, and the list goes on. As I read through my postings there was one thing that I have yet to discuss and I felt God saying it was time to. We are people that God created with emotions and feelings. Sometimes those feelings are feelings of joy and hope, love and peace, excitement and anticipation. Other times they are feelings of despair and grief, sadness and hopelessness, anger and bitterness. I have been told that I am a very passionate person. When I love someone I love with a sincere passion, one that runs deep. When I hurt it fills my entire body with such deep passion and sadness. I care deeply, love richly, and grieve severely. There have been times in my life that having such passion has been a beautiful thing yet there has been other times that I almost feel it was a curse. I have been hurt in unspeakable ways, into the very core of my being, where every fiber of in me is crying and trying to find a way to get back up. A word someone said, a look received in passing, an act that took place, words left unsaid. Yes I have been wronged in my life or at least I thought I was. When I was younger I was told that I should just forgive. Are you SERIOUS? You have NO clue what this person has done to me. The hurt and pain they caused. Or maybe this person told me they were sorry and truly did not mean to cause me pain. I would accept and yet inside of me still hold it against them. Oh I could act the part really well. Whenever I saw that person I was very friendly and kind only to later think to myself how they hurt me. I have had lots of hurts in my life just as many of you have. We all can go to a moment in time right now that was so painful for us that it can still bring us to tears when we think about it. Yes pain is very real. Friendships die because of it, love ends, divisions are made. I know you hurt, I know you have pain from an individual but I’m going to ask you a question… what are you doing about that pain?
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. “ ~ Colossians 3:12-14
The scripture tells us to forgive but did you notice that it didn’t say to forgive only if they ask for it? Sometimes we just might have to forgive someone that didn’t ask for it. It was only then that I was able to understand what it meant to truly forgive, to have a peace inside me from forgiving. That unconditional love we are supposed to have applies here too my friends. How can we be clothed in love if we hold some resentment toward another person? How can you be kind and gentle while still holding on to bitterness? How can you show Christ if you can’t be Christ to that person that needs forgiveness?
My challenge for you this week . . . is there someone you need to forgive deep down? Maybe they have asked for it and you didn’t truly give it. Maybe this person didn’t ask yet you need to be free of it. I am here to tell you that if you do not make it right, it will just grow inside you and cause more bitterness, division, and pain. Lighten your load and let go! God forgave, we are no better than Him. Forgiveness is the beginning of hope and life. Allow God to show you and allow yourself to listen.
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