do you value the role that forgiveness can play in your life? hopefully so. but even if you're a dedicated believer, you may have a difficult time forgiving those who may have hurt you. if you're one of those folks who, despite your best intentions, has a difficult time forgiving and forgetting, you are not alone.
life would be much simpler if we humans could forgive people "once and for all" and be done with it. but forgiveness is seldom that easy. for most people, the decision to forgive is straight forward, but the process of forgiving is more difficult. forgiveness is a journey that requires effort, time, perseverance, and prayer.
sometimes, it's not "the other person" whom you need to forgive; it's yourself. if you've made mistakes (and who among us hasn't?), perhaps you're continuing to bear a grudge against the person in the mirror. if so, here's a three-step process for resolving those feelings. 1. stop the harmful behavior that is the source of your self-directed anger. 2. seek forgiveness from God (and from any people whom you may have hurt). 3. ask God to cleanse your heart of all bitterness and regret.....and keep asking HIM until your feelings of anger and regret are gone.
if there exists even one person, alive or dead, whom you have not forgiven (and that includes yourself), follow God's commandment: forgive that person today. and remember that bitterness, anger, and regret are not part of God's plan for your life. forgiveness is.
perhaps you need a refresher course in the art of forgiveness. if so, it's time to open your Bible and your heart. when you do, you'll discover that God can heal your broken spirit. don't expect forgiveness to be easy or quick, but rest assured that with God as your partner, you can forgive......and you will. have an ice day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"Forgiving is a gift God has given us for healing ourselves before we are ready to help anyone else." by Dr. Lewis Smedes
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment