Mark 11:25 (NKJV) 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
Forgiving may be hard to do at times, especially if we still hurt from what was done to us.
Something so personal can really penetrate and take deep roots. The deeper the roots, the harder and longer it can take to get it out of there. And the more damage it will cause us personally.
Forgiving the person is the first step we must aim to take; the rest will take care of itself after the fact. If we are hurting and the wound is raw, cry out to God for His help immediately.
I remember one day I went to lunch with some very dear friends; people I trusted and enjoyed being around very much. As we were eating and talking, it was like they suddenly ganged up on me, with no warning.
I couldn’t believe it, but it was truth staring me in the face. They had planned the luncheon and the verbal attack.
As I continued to try and swallow down my lunch and keep cool, my eyes were tearing up and my heart was hurting. I was taken aback by the whole thing.
God helped me to finish up my lunch and handle the situation, and we left on good terms. God even gave me the strength to muster up a smile as we departed.
When I got home, I ran straight to my room. I bawled my eyes out and cried out to God. Why? How could people do such mean things?
He held me that day and He comforted me for as long as I needed it. He helped me to understand and to choose to forgive them that very hour. Yes, I still cried about it and it still hurt for a while afterwards. However, the healing began to take place when I let it go and forgave them all. Amen.
Today, if I was to come face to face with them, I could stand there and know in my heart that I am good with them and I have no hurt feelings remaining in my heart toward them.
How?
Because God took it. He fixed it, and now instead of being in pain and having hardness there, it is simply a lesson learned.
The things we go through should not taint us, but teach us. God can restore and bring good things out of them. Instead of pain residing in our hearts, we have His Word, living, breathing and teaching us.
Psalm 40:8 (NKJV) 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-315-0902
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