Have you
had your Joy Juice today? When we release our anger and hurts to God, there is
much more room for joy.
Lewis
Smedes wrote a powerful statement regarding forgiveness. He said, “When we
genuinely forgive, we set a prisoner free and then discover that the prisoner
we set free was us.”
Forgiveness is a
change in us. It doesn’t necessarily
change the person who caused our pain. But it brings healing and wholeness to
the place where we have been wounded. It sets our spirit free so we can return
to life, open to receive the many blessings God has for us, including joy.
(From The Joy Stealers by Rob Renfroe)
We need to
realize that true forgiveness is not about the other person. We can choose to forgive them and move
forward…whether they apologize or ask for forgiveness or never do. Even if the
wrong is never “made right”, forgiveness
is within our control.
If we choose NOT to forgive, we can become bitter &
resentful. Before long that root of bitterness turns into something really ugly
and steals our joy right out of our hearts! Unforgiveness is an evil reminder
of our enemy….and the kinds of choices he likes us to make.
Forgiveness
on the other hand is a beautiful, lovely reminder of God’s grace.
As Ephesians 4:32 teaches…may we “be
kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ,
God forgave us.”
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