Drops of Sunshine - Daily Bread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a horrible feeling to have a past wrong thrown in your face by someone that claimed to forgive you. Thank God that his grace doesn't look like that. Instead, forgiven means forgiven. Trust that God is capable of cleansing you of your dirtiest dirt. Now, start working on forgiving you.

In my line of work, we value the opportunities we have to learn from a mistake. Afterall, without them, we'd assume everything was perfect. With each day God grants us, he allows us the opportunity to live an even better life than we did the day before. Don't waste those precious moments by deceiving yourself into thinking there is no room for your growth.

It's no secret that God is a lot more merciful toward us than we are at times to one another. We must remember to show grace when others slip. Truly use that as a what would Jesus do? moment and exercise forgiveness. Willing to forgive does not make you a doormat. Instead, it opens up your heart to release the things you would otherwise cling to that can't be changed.

There are situations in our lives where the hardest task is to forgive ourselves. We can accept that others make mistakes and the need to extend grace to them is sometimes immeasurable. But we are less forgiving when we slip. For as much as we extend mercy to others, we should be grateful, and remember, that God extends the same grace and mercy toward us.

Have you ever bared your innermost to someone, only to have them throw the information in your face later? That's not a good feeling. It's also why God is an unmatched confidant. Those troubles, those wrongs, those woes and worries are all things you can cast his way. When you ask for forgiveness, believe that it's granted and don't go fishing for what has been cast away.

 It's one thing when you are done wrong by a stranger or a former friend. It's something else altogether when it is your own flesh and blood. And yet, Jesus left us many examples of the impact that forgiveness can have when we learn to let go or what hurt us and keep moving forward. It's important to have that mindset, even when it comes to forgiving ourselves. Letting a hurt go isn't always easy, but that's the importance of relying on God. He'll make it better if you trust him to do so. 

 I once hear someone say that the best thing you can do for an enemy is to pray that they receive salvation. Rather than disrupt your own health and well-being with anger, instead release that frustration to God and ask for the healing needed to move forward without bitterness.

 I heard a sister I know explaining how she used to always say "I did my good deed for the day" after accomplishing a positive. But her perspective shifted to instead aim higher. No one sets out with a target goal of being wronged each day. But when that happens more than once, it takes some serious faith on our parts to let those things go and learn to love our debtors regardless. It's not about being walked all over. It's about being in control of what is within your control.

People sometimes fall into the trap of wanting forgiveness from others, but not being so quick to give it. Our reality is that tables can turn swiftly. We have to learn the value of not allowing our emotions to be controlled by things (and people) that can not be changed. If we can't do that, than we leave room for hatred to develop roots which will ultimately cause destruction.

It's amazing how it feels like a weight has been dropped when you are honest. Even with yourself. Rather than hold it all in, spend time talking to God about every issue, every struggle, and even every triumph. Watch the weights fall off. 

I once heard someone say that the greatest thing they could do for an enemy is to pray for them to receive salvation. Yet, when the majority of people think about those that have treated them badly, well wishes aren't usually at the top of the list. Mercy and vengeance both belong to the Lord. It would be of greater value for us to pray, not only for our enemies to receive salvation, but also for ourselves to release the hurts we have a tendency to hold on to.

Has anyone ever asked you for advice? Then following your release of pearls of wisdom, they do the opposite. Only to come back and tell you that they wished they followed your advice. That's frustrating, right? Why'd they ask in the first place if they were only going to do their own thing? I always think about that when I reflect on receiving Godly advice. If you ask for it, be ready to receive the truth.