Forgiveness

Have you ever been in a situation where someone hurt your feelings really bad and all of these emotions filled up inside-sadness, anger, confusion, etc?

I am assuming we all have had that happen. I bet when that happens to anyone their first reaction is hardly to forgive them. We may sit and dwell on it for a while or wait and see if that person comes up and apologizes first. Sometimes our emotions and hurtness overpower us and that creates a hardened heart. It is okay to be hurt-that's natural-but the longer we dwell on it the more the enemy can use that to take us captive. And as long as we are holding on to that anger, unforgiveness, etc. the more the enemy has control over us.

God wants us to forgive others. He wants us to be free. I just finished the bible study "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore and it is all about being held captive by some thing in your life and breaking free from it. Here is a quote from the study. "A christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life God planned for her/him" And it could be a lot of different things (my big one is anxiety). But I do know that a lot of people have a hard time forgiving people.

Some people find it hard to forgive people because in way they are accepting that it is okay for someone to hurt them. And forgiveness doesn't mean that we have to accept that hurt. But we have to accept that the hurt that is leading us to unforgiveness comes from the enemy.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers , against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spirtual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

I can forgive people because of this verse because I know that whatever hurt comes my way I know that it is just part of the battle with the enemy not the human that hurts me. So I have found that I can separate the two.


The more I hold on to unforgiveness the more the enemy wins-the human who hurt me doesn't win. The human probably doesn't even think about it-he's over it all ready. You're not getting back at the person by not forgiving them when they probably don't think about what they have done to you anymore. Your anger, sadness, unforgiveness is only hurting you. It holds you captive. It creates in you a hardened heart. And it may effect others around you.

God's Forgiveness

We have to remember that none of us our perfect. We don't deserve God's forgiveness but He forgives us all the time. We hurt Him on a daily basis. And when we hurt Him he hurts 100 times more then when we are hurt by someone. So think of a time when you were hurt-you are pretty hurt(your heart feels stomped on) and times that by 100 and that is how God feels when we hurt Him. And yet He can forgive us.

I am not perfect at forgiving people right away-I have to pray to God on a daily basis and ask for help. Help to let go of this anger, hurt. "Lord, help me to let go of this (fill in the blank) more and more everyday." I want to be free. I want to live the spirit-filled life God has in store for me. And when I let unforgiveness take control of me I become bitter and angry. And I seriously hate that feeling of being angry.

And if you have been having feelings of unforgiveness for a long time and are out of touch with that person I don't really think that you have to "hunt" that person down but tell God that you forgive that person. And if there is an opportunity to talk to that person-take it.

Questions

Is not forgiving someone taking over your life? Is it making you bitter and creating a hardened heart? If so what is stopping you from forgiveness? Is your unforgiveness effecting the ones around you?

"Lord, help me to forgive (fill in the blank). Create in me a softened heart so I can live a spirit-filled life."

Prayers and Questions for "Purpose" and "Mind"

"Purpose" Questions and Prayers

Praying doesn't have to be intimidating but it does have to be genuine. It also can be simple and short when you don't know what else to say. I'm going to share some prayers that you can say with each post. I forgot to post some for "Purpose".

"Lord lead me in a direction that is pleasing and honoring to you"

"Lord, help me gain wisdom so I can find the direction that you want me to take."

Questions:

Are you seeking God's purpose for your life? If not what is holding you back from doing so? Be honest(tell God why).

And remember you are never too old to seek His purpose for your life.

God has a purpose for each of us and it is even more beautiful and wonderful then we could ever imagine.

Part 2: "Mind" Questions

Who are you listening to for advice/influence? Are they inspired by the Truth (God's Word) or the World?

Is the enemy controlling your mind in a certain area (for example: stubborness, lust, low self-esteem, unforgiveness, anger)? Ask God for deliverance and Help to let go of these.

The Mind

The mind can be a very interesting thing. People have been studying it for years. It is a very powerful tool. It is where we think, feel, perceive, judge and it is also where our enemy (the devil) likes to reside....................................................................................................................................................... The enemy likes to use it for his purposes. And when he is in control of our mind destructive things might happen. Now I am not talking about being possessed by the devil and having an exorcism. But I am telling you that the enemy is real. (I call the devil the enemy). He is very real. The enemy uses our minds by telling us it's okay to do this or that when it really isn't. "Everyone is doing it so it must be okay" "Everything is permissable but not everything is beneficial" 1corinthians 10:23 God did give us free will but when He tells us not to do something He means it. The outcome of our disobedience isn't always the greatest......................................................................................................................................................... Ways the enemy uses our minds:

1. He can use trashy television shows to lure us into a lustful thought life and lifestyle


2. He can use peer pressure to lure us into a life of alcohol and drug abuse


3. He can use bullying to lure us into a life full of low self-esteem


4. He can use an emotionally abusive husband to lure you into thinking that everything is your fault and something must be wrong with you.

And I am here to share with you that you can break out of those thought patterns. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve God's will-his good, pleasing and perfect will" Romans 12: 1-2

I am not saying that all of a sudden you will snap out of these patterns but by being in the Word daily and being around Godly people it will renew your mind. By being in God's Word it will help us focus on what is true and we will be LESS likely to listen to what the enemy tells us is true. I emphasized less because we will still fall and make mistakes.

"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what the nature desires; but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of a sinful man is death, but those controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile toward God." Romans 8: 5-7

I don't know about you but I want to live and have peace.

"Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." James 1:21

I do know that there is a lot of temptation out there and it might seem fun and harmless but by listening to God's word-the Truth-it brings life to the Fullest. The enemy is out there to steal, kill and destroy and the enemy's biggest tool and influence is the mind. I don't want the enemy to win over my mind. I want God to win over my mind....I am not perfect but I have grown a lot in my thought life and recognizing and being more aware of ways that the enemy works in my mind.

Prayer: Dear God please help me to focus my mind on you. Help me to stray away from the enemy's lies and help me to listen to you and your promises.