Saturday, August 17, 2013

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

Move On

Psalms 145:9 The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.

I have watched my young nieces and son play beautifully together, and I have ALSO witnessed them not even wanting to be in the same room. However, after a few hours of separation, they are always so very happy to see each other. Their squabbling is put aside, and they are ready to embark on great adventures---with each other!

I truly believe that their behavior is what God desires from us. He does not want us to hold on to offense ... hold on to hurt ... hold on to our pain. He wants us to MOVE ON.

Romans 12:19 holds the key to a future filled with light and not shrouded in the darkness of our anger and unforgiveness.  We are encouraged in this scripture to "never take revenge" and to leave the situation to the "righteous anger of God." Many times in disagreements with others, we tend to take matters into our own hands and to react in a way that causes further damage. Instead, God desires to bring justice to the hurtful actions that others have caused through responding righteously... a response that brings healing.

As much as I would love to be like my nieces and son by seemingly having NO memory of recent offenses, it is often not as simple for adults to do so. We have a tendency to SAY that we forgive, but then we continue holding on to a substantial amount of unforgiveness.

I once read that "forgiveness is not excusing." When I read this phrase, I realized that God does not expect us to excuse the poor behavior of others and accept that as the way we should be treated. Rather, His desire is for us to focus our eyes and our broken hearts on Him and to seek Him in how to bring peace in our situations.

I challenge you today to give ALL of your bitterness, your unforgiveness to Him. By doing so, you are not admitting defeat to the person who has inflicted the pain. On the other hand, you are being faithful to God's will for your life as revealed in Mark 11:25-26 ".... first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." Forgive in order to RECEIVE His forgiveness!

Dear Lord, You tell us in Matthew 18:33 "Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?" I ask that You help me to see my offender with Your eyes ... with Your heart...with Your mercy!

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.