Forgiveness
I believe forgiveness is a process and an event. Let me explain. Sometimes I am hurt so deeply that forgiveness is the last thing on my mind. In fact, retaliation is what I’m dwelling on. I think forgiveness is probably one of the most challenging parts of my life. Over the years I’ve been hurt deeply by people close to me and with the Lords help I’ve become a forgiving person. I love the definition of forgiveness that Billy Graham used… “Forgiveness is giving up my right to strike back”.
After reading a short chapter in Hosea this morning, the word forgiveness was all up in my lap. I believe it’s important for me to understand that the Lord has forgiven me of my sins and my forgiveness of others is not optional according to His Word. Check this out….
The Lord said to me again, “Go, show your love to a woman loved by someone else, who has been unfaithful to you. In the same way the Lord loves the people of Israel, even though they worship other gods and love to eat the raisin cakes.” (Hosea 3:1 NCV)I don’t always understand the things of God. I have worked hard in my own personal life to live out forgiveness. I discovered that forgiveness is really a gift I give myself. In forgiving the person who hurt me or wronged me, I give myself freedom from the bondage of hatred and revenge. A wise brother told me “when bad things happen to us, they can make us better or bitter”. The difference between those two words is “I”. The kindness of the Lord to pour out forgiveness on me has created in me the ability to forgive others.
After reading this passage in Hosea, this song came to my mind that I heard over 10 years ago. Check this out….
Open up the skies of mercy And rain down the cleansing flood Healing waters rise around us Hear our cries Lord let ’em rise Open up the skies of mercy And rain down the cleansing flood Healing waters rise around us Hear our cries Lord let ’em rise It’s Your kindness Lord That leads us to repentance Your favor Lord, is our desire It’s Your beauty Lord That makes us stand in silence Your love Your love Is better than life We can feel Your mercy falling You are turning our hearts back again Hear our praises rise to heaven Draw us near Lord Meet us here It’s Your kindness Lord That leads us to repentance Your favor Lord, is our desire It’s Your beauty Lord That makes us stand in silence Your love Your love It’s Your kindness Lord That leads us to repentance Your favor Lord, is our desire It’s Your beauty Lord That makes us stand in silence Your love Your love Is better than life Is better than life “Kindness” by Chris Tomlin ©2000 River Music SongsThe kindness of God is like a fragrance that is attractive beyond description. Upon receipt of this kindness, I want to extend it to others!
Pressing On! Dwayne