Forgiving others doesn't always come easy or naturally. Neither does loving them. Especially when someone has hurt us, offended us or abused us in a horrible way. Often, those we consider "enemies" are people that should have cared for us, loved us and shown us kindness. That's probably the hardest to forgive.
As I was scrolling through Facebook, I saw a post on the KLove radio station page that I found interesting. The poster said that when they were in the 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous they learned that when you were trying to forgive someone who had harmed you, you were to pray for their good for two full weeks. After the two weeks, it would be hard to remain angry and withhold forgiveness from someone you were praying blessings over. Wow. What a concept.
I think back to Corrie ten Boom when she told the story of forgiving one of the guards at the Ravensbruck concentration camp where she and her sister were held for hiding Jews during the World War II era. I imagine her walk with the Lord and time spent in prayer prepared her for just this moment when the decision to forgive would be put to the test. And she obeyed.
I don't think many of us would have this dramatic and experience, nor have had that much horror to forgive. But we seem to be a society that embraces being offended these days. And that is grieving my heart. I think we need to be a society that learns forgiveness and embraces loving one another rather than pointing fingers and holding hatred in our hearts. Whether it's on a personal level or national level, hanging on to anger and unforgiveness only cripples our ability to be the light Jesus desires us to be. Whether it is a small slight or horrible abuse, holding onto it and burying it in our heart only poisons the holder.
Today I read a short reading on loving your husband. But I think this could apply to others as well. Maybe you don't have those ooey gooey feelings for someone. But you can choose to be a blessing, choose to treat them kindly, choose to show love to them in tangible ways. I think this God visit is just solidifying in my heart, that my life has to be made up of choices to love, choices to forgive and especially the choice to obey the Lord's voice. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:44-48 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Wow, a pretty high standard. But I'm thinking by using the "pray for your enemies for two weeks" strategy will help in obeying Jesus' command. And in forgiving, we find freedom. In blessing others, even if we don't like them, don't love them, are angry with them....we find peace and blessing in our own hearts. I know I need this in my own life so much. I desire to be set free from anger, free from bitterness. And I firmly believe God sent these words on Facebook and in my short reading today to give me that freedom. And it's not just for me, it's for all who will follow His path.
Lord, we hold onto so much, we allow our emotions to dictate our actions, allow the unforgiveness or anger to fester in our hearts when you gave us the perfect plan for freedom. Help us make the choices based on obedience to Your Word rather than the feelings we have and harbor. Lord, whether it's to forgive another's harm, love our husbands or wives, get along with a difficult coworker, let us be in prayer for them, let us learn, through that time of prayer to choose love, choose forgiveness and choose to follow Your path for us. In following You we are set free. Lord, help us. This is not an endeavor we can accomplish in human strength. But in You and through You we are overcomers! Soften our hearts and let us be perfect just as You are perfect. Thank You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Spend some time searching your heart and see where the Lord wants you to apply this two week plan in your life.
I'm putting Corrie's forgiveness story in a separate entry if you would like to read it.
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