Forgiveness

Sorry it's been a while readers...life and such. I'll try to be more consistent!!

Why is it so hard for us to forgive? Who among us has not been hurt by a spouse or a family member or a co worker or friend, and maybe we have even expressed or forgiveness for their said offense..but have we really given it? I am a sensitive person, my feelings are hurt easily and often and I wear my heart on my sleeve which make me easy to offend. While I see the flaw in this characteristic ...and have had it pointed out by many...I have also learned to embrace the positive side of this. Yes I have to watch from being taken advantage of...but that can easily be fixed by reminding myself..Am I saying yes to doing this because I really WANT to do it, or because I am seeking this persons approval? But perpetually looking for the best in people is kind of a good thing isn't it? Isn't that what God want us to do? Turn the other cheek right? Okay...here is the tough part. I know that I am supposed to forgive. But let's imagine what unconditional forgiveness would feel like. Does that mean tell the person yet everytime you are around them you feel uneasy? Or you keep repeating the said offense over in your head when you run into them? Or the next time you are in a similar situation you expect bad outcome again?? I don't think that's the idea. When Jesus died for us our slate was WIPED CLEAN. When he sees us He does not think...oh I died for you but there is till that one thing that I really didn't like so I'm not totally over that yet. Nope. Clean slate. Total forgiveness and unconditional forgiveness my friend. Now let's apply that to our own situations. When you are faced with a situation in which you are called to extend that, then remember we are supposed to be living in that image. Our forgiveness is also supposed to be without conditions. Now that doesn't mean that God wants us to continue to place ourselves in unhealthy relationships or situations because he doesn't. He does not expect you to continue unhealthy paths..but there is a tremendous weight lifted from your shoulders when you let go of that. Harboring resentment and old hurt feelings prevents you from moving forward. When you are burdened by the hurt that other people have placed on your shoulders, then you are not offering unconditional forgiveness. That is..I am telling you I forgive you to your face, but I'm really still mad about that thing you did. Keep in mind that the flip side to this is accepting the forgiveness that others have extended onto you. When someone in good faith tells you that they have let that go...and they are following Gods path...then we owe that to them to accept that they have let it go. That means forgive yourself to. Stop beating yourself up about the mistakes and hurt that you have extended. When that unconditional forgiveness has been extended then you are freed from the ties of that.
 Ok, so apply. Maybe you find yourself in a tough relationship right now. You have been hurt and ad not sure how to move forward. In encourage you...let it go. Extend tht forgiveness. Pray this prayer.

Dear Lord. I was very hurt by.......and I have allowed  myself to be vulnerable and trusting and they violated my trust. But I want to let that go. I want to ask for your help in filling me with the ability to forgive them and to forgive their wrong without conditions as you sent your son to forgive us. I ask for your help in lifting this weight from my shoulders and I pray for.......that they may accept my gift of forgiveness and that it may in some way help to soften their hearts and help them see the works of You in my life and how Your strength has allowed me to be freed of this. I pray for........and wish them the love and peace in their life that You have placed in mind. if they know You , then let this be a lesson in Your love and if they do not, let this serve as an opportunity to see Your greatness. Amen


Ok. Let. It. Go. Don't bring it back up, don't hold it over thir heads. Feel free to walk away from the situation, but don't let it define you. We are living out lives in the effort to reflect the almighty love of our Heavenly Father and if He can wipe my slate clean and never look back..then I think I can try to extend the same.

And one more thing.....forgive yourself. God has already done so, and what make us think we know more then He does. :)

Missed Oppourtunity

As a busy mama of two very energetic girls, i often find myself looking at my days as one big mental checklist. Sometimes that checklist is not only in my mind, bur actually has made it onto paper so i make SURE i dont forget anything. Its very easy in the running of the day to move quickly from place to place, focus on my given task and ignore everything that happens around me. Today, I helpled a friend this morning, ran home, worked on some craft orders, did the dishes, ran to work, taught a class, worked out, ran back home, checked my Emails, ran to my other job site, came home cooked dinner, give baths, read stories, brushed teeth and put the kids to bed. Today was actually kind of a"slow" day. Ha ha. As i am reflecting on what i want to write tonight, i am putting some of my other desired topics aside for now and choosing to address something I think should come first. As Christians we are called by God to be living witnesses to His word and carry that out into the world. Mark 6:14 says " and He said to them, Go out into the world and proclaim the gospel To the whole creation" how many opportunities did I miss to do that today? Had I looked up from my tasks and maybe asked a co worker how they were doing or called and old friend while driving between errands or even started up a conversation with the person behind me at the coffee place, could I have had that opportunity? We are not always..in fact almost never...going to have someone who really needs to hear the word of God come right up to us and ask to hear it. I think we need to actively look for opportunities in each day to show others that light that is in us so they wonder...hmm what is that extra something that makes her so positive? We have opportunities everyday that I think we are often missing be use we are so sidetracked with the necessity of life that we forget the most basic necessity. In sharing God with others, we are growing in God ourselves. Look at that verse again.proclaim the gospel to the WHOLE of creation. Not to those who are going to be really receptive and who we will have a heart felt moment of sharing with. The whole. Everywhere that you go, everyone that you see is an opportunity to share the love of God. You never know when you can be that one person that can change a persons entire life. Even sitting at the doctors office or waiting in line at the grocery store. Some challenge you to look up from your own agenda and proclaim that love, we are called into service and you will be amazed how much richer your own walk will be from doing so. And one more thing,,..never forget that we are a mirror of Christs image. Be aware of the reflection in that mirror.

The little things

Sometimes when I can't handle the big things I life I begin to focus maybe a little too intently on the little things that I CAN control. How neatly the couch cushions are fluffed, how even the bed spread is, how clean the car is, how tidy the mulch beds are...it goes on and on. For people who suffer from anxiety, it is very difficult for us to feel like life's big situations are not within our control. So we have this funny way of becoming consumed with things that are in our control and that consumption can rally divert you from what Gods LAN for your day are. There is the difficulty in being a women of faith... I know that I am NOT in any way in control of any situation, whether big or little, but sometimes...ok, a LOT of times, my body takes over and seems to forget what my heart knows. Over the years I have been imposing a tremendous amount of guilt on myself about if I was a better Christian, then I wouldn't have these feelings. If I love God and trust Him as much as I do, then I should feel that He is in control of all the areas of my life. Who am I to think that I am so important that anything I can do is gong to change that plan. So there is the guilt. But you knows what? God knows my heart and knows that I love Him and that I trust Him in my deepest depths...and it's OK if sometimes my battles with this anxiety want to try to tell me otherwise.  I don't need to feel bad that I have these feelings. They are just feelings...what is important is how I choose to let them control me. How I respond to those feelings is in my control, even if the fears are not. So I have a new approach. When I feel myself start to get that send of overwhelm, I think of this verse,

 " Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand." Proverbs 19:21

So I ask myself this.. Am I worrying about this situation because this is the plan that I have for myself right now, or is this part of the plan that God has made for me. It doesn't really matter how even the cushions are on the couch if I have made straightening them become more important than what I rally need to be focused on throughout my day. And I'm not saying that those little thing s don't need to be attended to in the running of our homes..but take care not to let those little things become too important that you miss out on the Lords purpose for your day, not your own.

And one more thing.....if you are suffering with anxiety as well, then don't ever feel like it is your fault. Like you are failing in your faith because you are filled with worry. We are beautifully and wonderfully made in His image and God made you just the way you are. 

Faithfully anxious

. I want to share my experiences being a longtime sufferer of anxiety disorder while being a follower of Christ. To many, these things are not synonymous. To be a believer means that I should be living free of fear and worry and anxiety for these are all things that come from the devil. Yet here I am. Loving God. Feeling anxious. I often find myself feeling that I have somehow failed at my faith because I can't get rid of the feelings. But here is the thing.. God loves me despite this. He knows where where with these struggles and where my heart lies. Full of faith, full of devotion, full of love...and full of worry. I wish that I could get rid of it, love it away, believe it away. But I can't and I accept that because my God accepts it. Accepts me and accepts my struggles. So here I am Lord, open and honest and willing to let you reveal your works through me. Maybe together we can quiet some of these storms.