The Choice is Yours

At the time of this writing, the world is entering the holiday season. But the topic is timeless.

Forgiveness.

Forgiveness of others.

Forgiveness of self.

Others forgiving you.

I don't know a single Christian that has opened up their arms to embrace forgiveness immediately after an offense. Nobody is raising up holy hands or jumping and shouting anticipating forgiveness.

Nope.

There is always a hesitation, always a delay because we see forgiveness as relinquishing control. And in some ways it is.

Imagine being naked on a cross.

Exposed.

Vulnerable.

Now, continue to hang there when you have the capacity to save yourself from the pain but you don't.

Sound familiar? That is what forgiveness looks like.

And just like Jesus at Calgary, God has something more for you on the other side of your cross.

I know your struggle is real. Mine, too. It's real for all of us.

A boundary has been crossed, and only you know intimately the piercing effects of the knife in your back. The question becomes will you avoid treatment and succumb to the infection of the offense, or will you seek help from the One Who Knew No Sin but knows your suffering.

Jesus.

It is not enough for only your soul to be saved. What about your life?

Forgiveness does not minimize the offense. It changes the sin against you from a poison to a promise.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

~Matthew 6:14, New King James Version

Don't you want your promise?

Then stop reacting to your flesh whispering in your ear, "If you forgive them, you'll lose complete control."

The devil is a lie.

You can control how you respond to the mayhem. You can release the pain of your affliction to Heaven for healing. You can decide to live for the greater good and not the drama. You can activate God's promise to forgive your

mistakes,

mishaps,

crazy,

chaos,

folly,

and foolishness as you forgive others.

YOU.

Want to take back control? Forgive.

The only way Christ can heal the pain of trespass and continue the cycle of salvation in your life is through your intentional act of forgiveness. Let Him save your soul and your life.

True and complete healing is a process that requires our steps to be ordered by God. Next week, we will explore how to navigate the process of forgiveness under the arc of His safety. In the meantime, let's pray that we accept the assignment:

Oh, Lord... our Lord... how excellent is your name in all the earth.

Your name is excellent in the chaos.

Your name is excellent despite our pain.

Your name is excellent because it holds the promise of a complete healing that begins with forgiveness.

Jesus asked, "Do you want to be whole?", and our response is yes.

Soften our hearts to you this week so we can hear from you.

Holy Spirit, help us to see our capacity to forgive as a gift and not a curse.

Kill our pride.

Protect our purpose.

Ignite your promise.

Perfect our peace.

No more excuses. Only your excellence will reign in our lives. Not drama.

In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, we ask and believe. Amen.

Let's do this.

If you were blessed today, let me know in the comments or give us a heart!

Remember to SUBSCRIBE and get the blog right in your email along with the latest updates,

perks, and other GOD 'n Me goodies!

Know that I am praying for you and your journey.

Time to break the cycle of hesitation and live on purpose!