If you're new to the blog or haven't read the first 19 installments of the MY Story Series I recommend reading them first. The links are below!
Thanks for being a part of MY Story
After my Mother’s short and rather eventful visit I began to receive messages from her on Facebook. She claims that I murdered my brother. She says I’m evil. She says I am responsible for my parent's divorce. She says I’m mean. She says she can see the end. She says I’m dead. She says just about anything and everything her imagination can conjure up to say against me and my family.
She speaks of things she knows nothing about. And she speaks lies. She speaks with hate. She does it repeatedly.
So I have a choice. I can choose my reaction. I can hate. I can resent. I can attack. I can fight back. These are the reactions that in our human nature come naturally.
Or I can choose to love. I can choose to forgive. I can choose to rise above. I can choose to trust that God has already won the battle and rest in His victory. It’s not as easy. But it’s right. It’s a hard road to forgive over, and over, and over. But it’s the road that leads to freedom.
For clarification forgiveness does not mean we will open ourselves or our children up to be hurt. It is not an open door back into our lives. It is a decision to let go of the pain. It’s a decision for healing. It releases the offender from the obligation to “make things right.” It does not imply that trust has been re-established. It does not imply that a relationship has been restored.
Once someone has been forgiven the power they once held to hurt you is gone. Forgiving brings peace to the life of the forgiver regardless of the actions or reactions of the forgiven.
How many times will I forgive? Every time! By God’s grace and in His strength, remembering how immense is His forgiveness to me, I will forgive every offense and I will remain free.
At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?" Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:21-22
I'm proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do?
Psalm 56:4
I have been back and read your entire story... you are an amazing person and I wish you nothing but PEACE. Newly following... http://orangiesattic.blogspot.com/2011/05/tooth-fairy.html
ReplyDeleteOoops... I added the wrong link on that last comment! I found you through Sunday's Best, would love for you to come visit... Orangies Attic
ReplyDeleteForgiveness seems to be what God is speaking to me lately as it has been the theme of several different conversations, posts, sermons, etc. Thank you for your take on it. It is not an easy doctrine to learn. Love you, sister.
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