This morning I was angry and struggling with forgiveness. While flipping through my Bible this morning, a yellow post it note stuck in the sixth chapter Matthew caught my eye. At some point in the past I was inspired to write the following:
“I can’t change the past but I can forgive it. Forgiveness- a decision to release a person from the obligation of when they injured me.”
We’ve all been mad at God at some point and it’s okay, but wouldn’t that mean God would also want us to practice forgiveness with him? Who better to practice with?
It’s Easy to Blame God for the Bad
God does not need forgiveness…he is God and therefore good and perfect. However, sometimes things happen in our human world that make it so easy to be angry at and blame God. Loss of jobs, depression, death of loved ones and so many other unfortunate human experiences can so easily rock our world from what feels the foundation of our life. For things like this in life we must remember that God’s will is not linear like ours. We can take the words of the Bible and still not fully understand God’s will whenever terrible things happen. But if there is one thing the Bible is clear about, it’s the importance of forgiveness in every aspect of our life. And yes, I fully believe that applies to our relationship with God.
Unforgiveness Creates Cracks
When life hurts us, it is easy to get angry at God. God is someone who won’t yell back and is the creator of the universe after all…why couldn’t he have stopped it? However, we must remember that we cannot understand God’s will. If we don’t release God from the obligation of when we get hurt, the devil WILL use that. Hurt and fear will be planted in the cracks caused by unforgiveness and will be watered by stress, anxiety, and tiredness. It’s what is happening all across the world right now. These cracks make less room in your heart for God, which make it easier to be consumed by feelings planted by the enemy. The cracks of unforgiveness are dividing us.
So here is my plea sisters and brothers in Christ. Please do not let those cracks grow among us. Please help each other fill cracks through loving each other. If we allow hate to enter our hearts, we’re giving the authorship of our lives to the devil. Please continue to pray for each other more than you’ve ever prayed before. And most of all, please also release yourself from any obligation of hurt you’ve gone through. It’s easier to forgive others before yourself.
Let’s Pray
Even in dark times, Lord you are our refuge. There are people this moment reading this that are struggling so hard with something with their relationship with you. Not surrendering, not letting walls down, afraid to let you in. Father God…our past can hurt so much…and hate and tears and trying to fix it and get back to where we were…only prevents us from being with you in this moment. In those tears is healing. In those words are is growth and strength. In you there is freedom from it all. Father, be our refuge and our strength
In your love I pray.
