WHAT'CH HANGING ON TO?

Related imageI continue to wonder from the blog yesterday about forgiveness.  Like you, I too have wanted my hurts validated, but I also wanted the freedom from the hurt and any negative emotions about it.  The real enigma is that I wanted to be free of any unhealthy emotions, but yet, I had a tendency to hang on to the hurt.  Of course, I had gotten the last mile, foot, inch, even centimeter out of it, hating to mention that the hurt may have happened EONS ago.  The question really seems to become, HOW LONG DO I WANT TO HANG ON TO UNHEALTHY EMOTIONS? Do I really want to believe the lie that I am a victim and helpless?  In the mentality of Dr. Phil from television, "How's it working for you?"  Really, how is hanging on to the hurt working on and against you?  We each get to decide if the carrying of the hurt and calling it to remembrance and ripping off the scab promote healing, spiritual health, and wholeness.  I understand hurts, betrayal, disappointment, and life altering events and like you, hurts are not foreign to this 74 year old.

 I think of one of the last truths from our Lord, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  but take heart!  I have overcome the world." John 18:33.  However, an even great truth was spoken in Matthew 6:14, "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." Forgiveness as stated yesterday is a response of GRACE of the Lord to your sins and mine.  How can we not offer it to another offender?  Forgiveness is also a process....one which must be healthily practiced as we walk out this faith-walk...no easy fixes or short-cuts.  Our Father always blesses obedience, and we must be unhindered by sin so that we can recognize and enjoy the blessings as they come. Lighten your load..."Today, again, I will humble myself under Your mighty hand of protection and love, and  I will cast all my cares to You, Lord Jesus, for I know You lovingly care for me.  Thank You for the power to resist the evil one because I am not ignorant of his schemes as he prowls about seeking someone to chew on and devour.  (1 Peter 5:6-8)  Free at last because of Calvary!  Forever learning.  In process.  #IHAVETHREESONS. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THOSE SEEING CAN BECOME BLIND

Image
John 9 is the story of the healing of the blind beggar.  Not only is it a marvelous story of the miraculous healing of the man as he is given his sight, but a sad story of the religious of whom Jesus said, "For judgment, I have come into this world, so that the blind will see, and those who see will become blind ." The religious have seen the miracle, even though it has taken place on a Sabbath, and they interview the man and his parents for their stories and understanding. I find it so thrilling that the healed man speaks so articulately and logically with the religious in their "interview" with him.  His statement, " Now that is remarkable!  You don't know where HE comes from, yet HE opened my eyes.  We know that God does not listen to sinners.  He listens to the godly man who does His will.  Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing." What truth he has spoken to the religious wh...
Read more

REHEARSALS

Image
  I wonder how much time do I give to rehearsing God's goodness and how He has intervened in my life to "save" me from myself?  How alike the Israelites I can be, complaining about what goes wrong, how it affects me, and what I lack.  As a Christ follower, I have the Indwelling Holy Spirit to give me remembrance NOT of my complaining and grumbling, but of a recall of God's faithfulness to me.  It is recorded in Psalms 78 and 106 that " They forgot what He had done, the wonder He had shown them", "They did not remember His power--the day He redeemed them from the oppressor...", "They did not remember Your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.", "But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.", and "They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt...". Contrast with me, God's remembrance: Ps. 106:44-46, "But He took note of their distress...
Read more

A DONKEY SPEAKS!

Image
    Numbers has been full of repetitive accounts of the Israelites and their disobedience.  They have now made several laps around Mt. Sinai, many of the original people have died off, or been killed for their arrogant and presumptuous actions against the LORD, Moses, and Aaron. The overriding truth of the accounts is the merciful grace of the LORD! Moses is in his last days of leadership.  The forty years are coming to an end and they are moving toward a second attempt to enter the Promise Land.  They have been victorious in taking land, and they are moving further into the interior of the land of Moab.  The king and the residents of Moab are "filled with dread because of the Israelites.  The king of Moab, Balak, sends messages to Balaam, who is a sorcerer and is able to to place curses or blessings on others.  King Balak wants to know how to defeat "this horde" that is licking up everything around them.  Of course, he is desirous th...
Read more