Have you ever been in the middle of a test and realized that you can’t afford to miss your opportunity to be like Christ? It’s like Holy Spirit is giving you this weird outer body experience where you’re in the moment yet removed enough from your feelings to do the right thing. Oh what sweet grace God gives!
I remember having a confrontation with someone recently. It was very mild mannered and civil, though the subject matter was a bit uncomfortable to admit and address. When it was all said and done they asked if I would forgive them and my immediate answer was yes and only yes. In that moment I had the opportunity to further drag out tension and discord. I had the opportunity to be butt hurt and unchanged by the offered apology. I had the opportunity to dismiss myself from the conversation and behave as if it never happened.
Instead I realized that this was probably the only opportunity I would have to show my new friend that I am not only able to forgive, but to forgive and treat you just the same if not even better than I did before. I’ve learned such grace from my Abba father.
Imagine if God caught an attitude, punished us, or gave us the silent treatment every time we did something he didn’t agree with? The majority of us would be half dead if not already in the ground!
How many of us have silently killed relationships because we were unable to forgive? Unable to move forward? Unable to mimic the grace we experience daily with Christ? I definitely have. I’ve allowed for difference of opinion and time to drive a wedge in relationships that I’ve cherished and enjoyed. I’ve allowed pride and my own sensitivity to influence my thoughts and actions. Sure there are things that the other party may have been responsible for, but at the end of the day, the only thing that I can control is myself.
So be mindful today! Show others the gracious gift of forgiveness and be intentional. Sometimes it may feel uncomfortable, but the more you allow yourself to function in forgiveness, the easier it will be.
Love you lots!
Amber D.
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