Family curses are real. My family tree is a tangled up mess. Generations have battled depression, bitterness, shame, sickness and more. For years, when I thought of my paternal grandparents I couldn’t even bring myself to say a prayer. When I knew they needed prayer, I delegated. I asked my husband or my children to do the work because my heart couldn’t find the words. I’m not sure how, but I didn’t see this as unforgiveness. God knew my limitations though. He understood that years of rejection had left me speechless and hard. There had to be grace for …
Forgiveness is Just the First Step
Ephesians 6:10-16 describes the Armor of God and instructs us how to wear and use it. Let’s begin by looking at verse 11. It reads: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Would you not agree that the issues in your life that you need to forgive were events when the devil used humans in his scheme to take you down? Of course this is true. When you choose to forgive, you are taking a stand against the devil’s schemes. To do this, you need some heavy …
I Can Forgive but I Can’t Forget
Do you feel held back in the area of forgiveness? Are you worried that forgiveness would somehow condone the past or excuse a serious wrong done to you? How can an abused wife forgive her husband or a child victim offer forgiveness to their molester? Even if a person’s forgiveness is deep and all the hard work of healing done, can it you ever forget? These are big questions that often leave us stuck on the forgiveness issue as we cling to our offenses, too scared to put them down. Psalm 103: 12 reads “as far as the east …
But I Don’t Feel It!
Feelings lie. They tell us we are secure when we are headed for judgement. They tell us we are reliable when we are as shifty as the waves. They tell us we are on the right path when we are headed for death. They cannot be trusted. Feelings lie. Many times in scripture, God asked his people to act against their feelings. He told them to be brave. He pushed them to trust. The beauty of faith is the act of taking God at his word. Faith in God led people to leave their lands for a promise they couldn’t …
Waiting on An Apology
“I’m sorry” is a phrase that I have hungered for on more than one occasion. I want to know that the person who wronged me recognizes the damage done to my person (or to my heart) and repented for it. I want to see the person’s regret. I want their shame exposed and set in my hands so I can decide if they are worthy of my forgiveness. I want to be the judge. Is that too honest? I find that, when I have that mindset, the apology and any potential restoration are often delayed. I’ll find myself waiting on …
Forgiven Much
In Luke chapter seven we can read about a woman with an alabaster jar filled with expensive fragrant oil. When she learns that the Messiah is nearby, she rushes to the scene. In an act of absolute worship, she wipes his feet with her hair and anoints his feet with the oil. Such a pricey sacrifice was immediately noticed by the Pharisee. The observation and criticism of her actions leads the Messiah to offer a powerful teaching on forgiveness. Luke 7:47, reads: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–as her great love has shown. But whoever has …