Geez, Forgive Me Already

An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. Proverbs 18:19

 This verse has come alive to me in the past couple years. Not sure if any of those who read this devotion have had experiences with a close trusted friend not wanting to be a friend anymore but it is confusing to say the least. Obviously it is something that must occur a good deal if it is in scriptures. I always think the root cause is from Satan who tries to destroy and divide. Maybe a person is having a bad day and they take it out on you. Perhaps there are deeper hidden issues. There is a saying "hurting people hurt people" and there is much truth to that. Our job when a person turns on us is to not hate and be ugly back but to continue to pray. Let them go. Give them and the situation to God then move on. It is hard to do but it is necessary. We can not camp out in our feelings of loss. Life goes on and so must we.

 Just last week I accidentally hit a fellow passenger on a flight in the head with my backpack as I bent over to retrieve my carry on bag at end of flight. It was not intentional yet she blasted me with words and ugly looks. I said "please forgive me" yet she seemed so angry. It was an accident. I prayed for that lady cause something deeper set her off.

 Are you harboring bitterness in your heart towards a friend or a family member? Do your realize that ill feelings are not from God but originate with the enemy? Our job is to love, forgive, and move on, never to hate or be bitter. Above all our job is to pray. Now go have a happy friendly loving day.

 PRAYER: Lord thank you that you love me even through dumb things I do. Help me to forgive others who have hurt me or been angry. I know the enemy is the source of all that is evil and wrong so help me to be kind at all costs. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Forgive? Who Me??

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.Matthew 18:21-22 Has someone hurt you? Maybe they do not even know it. Have you hurt someone else? Maybe you lashed out in a verbal tirade and wounded a friend or family member or perhaps it was a total stranger such as a telemarketer interrupting your supper, again. Perhaps you overreacted to something and wish you could rewind the tape and take it back. Many things factor in to people hurting others either intentionally or unintentionally. Personality differences are a big one. Also there is a saying "Hurting people hurt people" and there is lots of truth to that. There may be a case of jealousy. Whatever the situation we are called to forgive others. Let things go. Move on. Blow it off. Don't stew over something or try to figure it out. Capture the good in life and let go of the not so good. Pray for those who have hurt you according to Matthew 5:44. Do yourself a favor and forgive. It is best for all parties involved. PRAYER: It is easy to be angry. It is easy to be hurt. It is easy to hate. I choose this day to forgive anyone in my life who has hurt me or held a grudge against me for no particular reason. I know I can only grow closer to you when I release this person to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Do Yourself A Favor. Forgive and Forget!

 

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered "No not seven times, but seventy-seven times." Matthew 18:21-22

 

 Have you ever had a misunderstanding or miscommunication with someone that ended your friendship? I have, and  it is not something I would want anyone to go through. Even though trials and tests are good for growing us up to be more Christlike, no one wants these 'tests'. Winning an offended 'brother' is most difficult to do and it even says this in Proverbs 18:19. Read it and see.

 

You may be the one who has done this to someone either knowingly or unknowingly. As a Christian, it is not good to harbor ill feelings, resentment, anger, and bitterness in your heart. For sure you will not grow closer to Christ if you are. And when you forgive someone, act like it. If you are on the receiving end of the lack of forgiveness just keep praying and hoping that this individual will feel a touch from the Holy Spirit to allow you back in their life. Learn from your mistakes and move on.

 

 Relationships  here on Earth between family, friends, acquaintances, or husband and wife are meant to be cherished and nurtured. The enemy, Satan, of course loves destroying things and breaking relationships. Do NOT allow this to happen. If there is someone in your life who refuses to forgive you can secretly forgive them in your heart anyway. Believe me, you will feel better. Then let it go.

 

 PRAYER: I love my family and my friends and do not want to do anything to have them not like me. Show me the way Lord and teach me when to move forward and when to back off. Show me how to pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Oh I Am So Angry!

          Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  James 1:20

Have you ever uttered those words from my title or thought them to yourself? People can be angry for a variety of reasons. Harboring  resentment from a divorce. Someone has hurt you for no apparent reason. You were wrongfully sued. Perhaps accused of something you never did. Issues from your past. Each person can probably give further examples. Still if anger is not dealt with and controlled, it can even lead to someone dying in worst case scenarios such as what we saw in Ferguson, Missouri or in domestic abuse cases that end in a murder.

Anger really is not the answer but forgiveness is.  The enemy wants fights, disputes, hatred, gossip, and hurt. God wants love, peace, kindness, and mercy. Maybe you think a person deserves something. Did JESUS deserve to be hung on a cross? Anger can also lead to a life of bitterness. If bitterness is in your heart it is hard to have love at the same time. Whatever it is someone did to you, let it go, move on. Ask God to help you to forgive as that is the ultimate goal, not harboring hatred. 

What do you need to do to let God's love fully envelope you and allow you to forgive? That is a question only you can answer. You know that is what God wants  for you and those around you. 

PRAYER: Lord you are good and your mercies endure forever. I choose to not harbor resentment against anyone who has ever hurt or wronged me. It does no good and only allows me to not really truly love like you want us to love. Give me strength to do this. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Hurting? Move On Would You?

If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it;if a foe were rising against me,  I could hide.But it is you, a man like myself,my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers. Psalm 55:12-14

Hurts in life occur. Rejection by a friend or loved one for unexplainable reasons is one of the hardest to endure but yet one I have had to go through more than one time. I say, "Lord what is it I am to learn from this lesson" and those who dislike me would say "take the hint girl". 

Broken relationships of any sort hurt God immensely. He would rather us dwell in unity. Since creation and the fall, people have been at odds with each other. Many verses in the Bible attest to this. I always say when bad junk happens to me I have new writing material so I guess am very thankful for being "emotionally bruised" by a few former friends. Satan is overjoyed at all kinds of relationship problems. If only true believers could not let this happen. Growth does come through problems in life though.

Do not let people have power over you and rob you of your joy. Cling to those friends who love and appreciate you, warts and all. We can not make everyone like us. Run to Jesus and pray for your enemies. That's in the Bible!

PRAYER: Lord help me to learn from problems in life and hurts in life. I love you and love the people on this Earth, even those who hate me. Help me as I seek to remain focused on you and not get down on myself. In Jesus' name. Amen