"Forgiveness is a Form of Wisdom"

DAY # 32 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs." Proverbs 19:11 NLT

NIV - "A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense."
KJV - "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression."
NKJV - "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression."
MSG - "Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget."
 
The ability to forgive and forget is a tricky one because of our human instincts, our human thoughts and the desire to retaliate. We as Christians had a NEW BIRTH, and are NEW CREATIONS, so we should be trying to live by the Spirit. Forgiveness is an important part of life. We need to choose to forgive, yet we also need to choose to forget. Just as God forgives each of us (when we repent), we need to have that same genuine love for others as we forgive them. God tosses our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. "...as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12 NIV)
 
Forgiveness is basically showing love. When we forgive others, it allows God to fully forgive us. Some of our sins towards God are probably bigger or more hurtful than the little sins that others do to us. We were reminded of just this fact about love & forgiveness in service on Sunday. We've also been reminded in the past that full healing cannot come until full forgiveness comes. Pure, perfect love for each other is what the Lord desires of us. God loves us unconditionally, no matter what we do, what we say, how we act -- HE LOVES US! (with a deep love). Why is it that we can allow ourselves to get entangled in things like gossip, talking behind other's backs, and other things that lead to bitterness (which certainly does not help us forget past wrongs)? Well God desires us to forgive and forget, and to go beyond bitterness and beyond envy (you can click those words to go to more devotionals). In 1 Corinthians 13 verses 4-8, you will find the best definition of 'love'. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..."
 
Thankfully with God's help all things are possible to they that believe. God is willing to help us forgive and get past those feelings of betrayal, bitterness and hurt. He even reminds us that it is His place to give vengeance, if it so requires Him. So ask the Lord to help you forgive others, so that He may fully forgive all that you have done, and will probably do against Him. It does take work on our parts, and we have to fully forgive intentional and unintentional sins, and give the negative feelings to God - lay them at His feet, and He will surround you with love, peace and joy, so the only thing that will overflow from you is His love. :)
 
"Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging an injury makes you even with him; forgiving an injury sets you above him." ~Anonymous
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!
 

"Beyond Bitterness"

DAY  #27 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ." Ephesians 4:31-32 HCSB

We waste our own time, if we fill it with bitterness, anger or regret. God has such big plans for us and our lives, that He is not able to use us fully, if we don't submit to him every part of us. FORGIVENESS is actually a much better choice than BITTERNESS.

Let's look at forgive vs. bitter; (as forgiveness is the act of forgiving, and bitterness is the act of being bitter)
Forgive:
–verb (used with object)

1. to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
2. to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
3. to grant pardon to (a person).
4. to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies.
5. to cancel an indebtedness or liability of: to forgive the interest owed on a loan.
–verb (used without object)
6. to pardon an offense or an offender.

Bitter:
–adjective

1. having a harsh, disagreeably acrid taste, like that of aspirin, quinine, wormwood, or aloes.
2. producing one of the four basic taste sensations; not sour, sweet, or salt.
3. hard to bear; grievous; distressful: a bitter sorrow.
4. causing pain; piercing; stinging: a bitter chill.
5. characterized by intense antagonism or hostility: bitter hatred.
6. hard to admit or accept: a bitter lesson.
7. resentful or cynical: bitter words.

Forgiveness causes healing, there is no longer resentment or anger. Forgiveness is like honey to the soul, wheras bitter is a harsh, acrid taste. Bitterness causes pain, sorrow and resentment. We are commanded to forgive others as Christ forgives us. Sit back and think of your thoughts, words & deeds... maybe just even in this past week... isn't it great to know that God forgives and forgets. We all make mistakes, we all have 'bad days', we all sin. We cannot judge, look down upon or have bitter feelings against someone. Look at those words defining bitterness...
*harsh, disagreeable acrid taste
*grievous, distressful, sorrow
*pain, piercing, stinging
*antagonism or hostility
*resentful or cynical

Who really wants to live a life of that? But we all do it at some point, if we do not walk in love and forgiveness. God wants us to be free, and live a life of love. There's a verse in the Word, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." (James 1:19-20) But... "Being frail, fallible, imperfect human beings, most of us are quick to anger, quick to blame, slow to forgive, and even slower to forget." (cite source after)

We need to forgive one another, just as God forgave us in Christ... most importantly we also need to forgive ourselves as well.

...to be continued!

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!