Join Me On the Journey

I’d like to talk today about the benefits of forgiveness. Have you every thought about who benefits from forgiveness the most? Is it them, or is it you? Sometimes, the person that you are resentful toward isn’t even aware they have offended you. Come to think of it, I wonder how often I have offended someone and wasn’t even aware of it.

As I see it, there are three major benefits of forgiveness.

First of all, forgiveness brings liberty. Have you ever carried a grudge against someone and felt the need to avoid them? Isn’t that an awful feeling when you think to yourself, “I wonder if so-and-so will be there?” and your stomach just twists up in knots. When you learn to forgive, you no longer have to fear coming into contact with that person.

Second, it frees up our relationship with the Father.

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matt 5:21-26 NKJV

These are the words of Jesus, and He is teaching that resentment and strife will interfere with your relationship with God.

Finally, most of you are mothers and some of you are mothers of grown children. Have you ever had two of your children who were estranged? I cannot imagine what that would be like. My children are so young that their spats are quickly mended with a kiss and a tickle from Mommy. But if, when they grow older, something were to happen and two of them held a grudge and wouldn’t speak, or were even to the point where they were uncomfortable around each other, I think it would tear my heart out.

How then must God feel when we hold a grudge against another of His children?

Malachy McCourt said, “Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Don’t continue to swallow dregs of the poison of resentment. Ask God to show you how to accept His tonic of forgiveness.

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You have most likely heard the saying, “Confession is good for the soul.”

One of the things that I am focusing on in my life is keeping a short account with God; admitting to God, and more importantly myself, that I sin…regularly.

So, what is sin? If you’re like me, you have heard the definition that sin is “missing the mark.” It’s a term used in shooting. In other words, you shoot for something and you don’t hit the bullseye.

There are also sins of omission…things we don’t do.

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17 (KJV)

This means that I always have plenty to confess.

But, rather than just tell you that confession is important, I would like to show you how to practically implement a time of confession into your quiet time.

Sometime during your quiet time, turn your heart inward and ask God to show you what  in your life you need to confess. My favorite passage that speaks specifically to this is Psalm 139:23-24.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (KJV)

I like this passage because it talks about knowing my heart and my thoughts. Heart here is another word for soul, which includes mind, emotions, will, and conscience. And that’s where you want God to be at work…in your mind (thought-life), your emotions, your will, your conscience. Actions follow beliefs. If you submit your thoughts to God and allow Him to work in your thought-life, your actions will change.

When your ask for God’s revelation, take a moment to listen.  Things will begin to come to mind; things you need to do; things you need to stop doing; attitudes you need to change; people to whom you need to make amends. God will speak to your heart; write down what He says.

God is so faithful and He honors your efforts to change.  If you are faithful to ask, He will reveal areas of your life that need change.

God Bless You on Your Journey!

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