It’s a hard thing He asks of us
Forgive
He more than asks us, He commands us
Forgive
How do you forgive the daddy who chooses the arms of another woman over your mama?
Forgive
How do you forgive the myriad of daily offenses that occur between husband and wife in a marriage of 35 years?
Forgive
How do you forgive the bumps and bruises and wounds to the soul that occur in a family?
Forgive
How do you forgive the hurts, the betrayals, the abandonment that happens in the church
amongst the ones who should be most like Him?
Forgive
How do you forgive all of the painful ugly that bruises your spirit in this world?
Forgive
He is so relentless about it
Forgive, or I can’t forgive you
He doesn’t give us a loophole, a way out, an excuse not to
Forgive, or I can’t forgive you
And so, when I daily come with my list of offenses committed against Him, I say
“Jesus, I receive Your forgiveness for my sins, and I receive Your help to forgive those those who sin against me”
Forgiven
Still following,
Elizabeth
Beautiful. Forgiveness is simple. It's a choice, not a feeling. We choose to, God does the rest, including healing. People find it difficult because they wait for this to happen the other way around--heal first then choose. That won't work. What do we have to forgive once we're healed? We choose first then God heals us. Some healing, like offenses and such, are instant. Others take longer. Even with offense, I've learned that the best thing to do is quickly counteract it with an act of kindness. Difficult but possible with Grace.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Elicabeth. Great reminder today.
He doesn’t give us a loophole, a way out, an excuse not to
ReplyDeleteForgive, or I can’t forgive you
"And so, when I daily come with my list of offenses committed against Him, I say
“Jesus, I receive Your forgiveness for my sins, and I receive Your help to forgive those those who sin against me”
Forgiven"
Wonderful! It is so hard, yet so simple. Thank you
Reading over your list, I relate to so many. And so I am very thankful that he did command us to forgive, else I'm not sure I would want to as eagerly. Great post, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. No loopholes. No excuses. Forgive means just that.
ReplyDeleteThose verses from Matthew are especially convicting.
this is lovely elizabeth...firgiveness has been on my mind a lot this week...and after about half the IP list it is a nail that keeps getting hit...smiles. this is good stuff...
ReplyDeleteBy His grace, I am able to forgive. He has forgiven me. How can I withhold that from others? Thank you for this reminder.
ReplyDeleteHow do you forgive all of the painful ugly that bruises your spirit in this world?
ReplyDeleteyou word this so perfect, elizabeth. thank you for a beautiful convicting post. xo