I feel it rise…like a tide overwhelming. Words said, by others. Contradictions. False pretenses. Untruth. Deception. Offense within.
Rising like a wave to crush. Down deep. Stirring. Gripping. Shaking. Pain. Anger.
Everything prior settled. Still. Peaceful. Yet, pride ever seeking to bubble out….from past hurts. Broken People.
Digging up this graveyard long burried.
Tempting us….to grab it. This offense. Retain it. Whirl it around in our souls. Coddle it. Stroke it. Go into victim mode…..like I have so many times prior……But I won’t.
Even denial doesn’t work. That says…..this offense didn’t happen. People really couldn’t do this. My life is still perfect. I didn’t go through this…
But I did.
Truth is...
People hurt. Sin destroys. The enemy uses people to pain others….Even Christians at times.
I have. Hurt others that is. Did I forget?
Instead, I choose…
To look at offense. Acknowledge it. Taste the reality of the pain of it….Yet, reach for Him. Knowing…
Only Christ can cover all sin.
My works to protect myself?
Never succeed.
My hope to defend myself?
Futile to say the least.
Only He can Restore. Redeem. Resurrect this life of bottled up pain…returning.
Only He can bring utter, complete, and perfect healing.
And He, while perfect…chose sin. Their sin. Our sin. My sin.
So that in Him we might become His righteousness.
And righteousness does not hold accounts of who did what and how and when….
It just forgives. …..And moves on.
Applying grace to the wound. Choosing this day…To forgive. Remembering. Acknowledging. Admitting.
But moving on….
Knowing…the same grace He gave us…He will give them.
Out of my own strength…impossible.
But, easy. In Him….
Letting go of offense.
10 Comments
Hi Jen – it is easy to ‘just forgive’ but its a choice. its a choice to hold onto it as well. i do believe that as people we have to grieve, deal with, and walk a path of forgiveness but it is as easy as a choice. The hard bit is making that choice. thanks for linking up my friend, I love seeing you there 🙂
God bless
Tracy
Jen…these words come from a deep place…a place only the Father can bring someone…someone willing to be conformed…surrendered…humbled. Oh Jen…continued prayers and Grace for this journey.
Ahh forgiveness, that thing that really defines our walk with Christ. Can we do it? Only with Gods help! CR is a great place to learn how to forgive. Sometimes it comes down to taking that step one moment at a time. And forgiveness does not mean to let the abuse or hurt continue. It means to give it to God, but protecting yourself by setting up boundaries is just as important. You always have such great thoughts!
Tracy – Yes that 70 x 7 choice. Laying it all at the cross time and time again.
Ells – Yes, and oh how painful the humbling can be at times. Thanks again for your encouragement and support!
Brownie – Well said. Living a Christ-like life is not letting people walk all over you, but standing for what is right and true and honest and just. And often living the consequences of our convictions. Thankful for His strength that helps us stand when we stand for He stood for, my friend.
Beautiful, simply beautiful.
Blessings,
<><
Child of God – Thank you. 🙂
This really hit close to home for me. Pure poetry on the power of forgiveness through Christ alone. Thank you.
What a beautiful truth…and a timely reminder for me. I have been praying that God would not allow bitterness to fill my heart again over little things that offend…and remind me of the bigger things that have hurt so deeply. Forgiveness is an everyday choice…and your reminder of HIS forgiveness shows me the power of forgiveness and that it is possible to forgive…because He forgive SO much more in me…and all the while I kept on sinning, not deserve an ounce of His redemption…and still He came. Thank you for this.
There is nothing like the power of forgiveness. Your words are beautiful. Thank you for linking up with Fresh Brewed Sundays!
Shari – So glad God could use mere words to touch the human heart.
Stephanie – Isn’t that the truth…that if we never sinned…or could save ourselves…then, we would need a Redeemer, a Savior, a Random for our souls. Thankful for the cross this season…and always. Blessings.
Barbie – So glad to join you.