It's so funny that we have this great idea to LET GO of stuff that bogs us down. Don't get me wrong, we all have great intentions. However, how many of us REALLY do it?! Something about the "stuff" we need to rid ourselves of keeps clinging on. You know Satan loves this & will use it every chance he gets...Now this could be all sorts of things. Just feel free to stick in your own scenario. ( If you don't have one---give Praise to our Heavenly Father because your are lucky!)
Now this "stuff" could be relationships with family or friends that are toxic, the act of busyness, insecurities, addictions, fears, financial troubles,etc...The list is so long & I realize the more I have -the longer I type them so I decided to put in the etc....
The problem is we claim to want to let go, but do we really- do we fully surrender it to our Saviour???
Are we still trying to control it & not trusting God?
Are we scared to go where Jesus is sending us because we don't want to let someone down?
Are you scared to disappoint your kids by making a choice for their best interest or protection?
Are we scared of what others will say?
Are we scared of the judgement we will receive from others?
Are we scared to ask for help?
Are we choosing to hide in pain so others won't think we don't "measure up"
Are we selfish & don't want to put up the effort?
Are we questioning God's direction we clearly heard because others do?
I am sure most of us can relate. I find the majority of our issues come from what we believe others think, say or feel. The Only One we should care about is Jesus . He clearly stated for us to Cast our anxieties on Him because He care for us...He has no agenda but grace.
A great friend of mine told me something I will never forget. This is for when people try to make us feel bad or make us feel guilty--she said to tell them , " You Can Keep Your Shame". Wow! How freeing is that? I tell you when I acknowledged that this was their intention- I realized this was a problem they have- not me. Now please, don't say you have to hold each other accountable. We absolutely do. There is a huge difference- Accountability comes with the love of Christ coming through us to help someone else. Shame comes when someone else want to make themselves feel better for judging you. This was a turn around for me. You will easily be able to distinguish the difference.
Now it's time to try & live out what I know to be true..I must follow where God is leading me & freely accept his grace.Who knows how I might be changed in the process-( I know how much I have already been changed) or how He plans to use my walk in the life of someone else....We can't change others. We can't change the way they treat us. We can't expect them to understand or accept responsibility. We can pray for them- even when that is a challenge. There comes a time when we have to stop allowing them to hurt us any longer. We must forgive- so we can be free & move on. The "patchwork" must stop to be free from it & not keep pretending..
Another friend told me that there is a huge difference in forgiveness & reconciliation. Not that both can't occur, but not always ( at least not right away)..At some point, we have to forgive- but God does not ask us to keep allowing ourselves to be abused. We are expected to pray for them. When other's do not seek God 1st- how can you expect them to honor us? If their sin doesn't bother them- how can we expect them to understand? If ways of the worlds & material things and money are more important than their relationship with Christ- all we can do is pray that life change will happen for them..
A comment was made to me once- this was their excuse for hurting me. It was "I have to provide for my family (my wife)-that is my 1st obligation". How wrong is that? My pastor preached a great sermon recently in which he said, " OUR FIRST PRIORITY IS TO SEEK GOD". If we do this- if we truly SEEK GOD 1st-all the rest will fall into place. God does not ask us or require us to damage someone else's soul to provide for our family. God is love & that is not. He would rather us sacrifice for the sake of others.
Now another challenge that I am trying to accomplish was this quote I heard " If we have forgiven we wouldn't still be talking about it".
Dear Lord,
Thank you first & foremost for the Cross. Thank you for your grace & your relationship you allow me to have with You. I am so blessed because I am a child of God & am so thankful. Jesus, please help me move on from my hurts, please help me forgive, please continue to guide me where You need me to go. Lord use me for your glory & for Kingdom purposes. Please help me put my selfish desires, wants, pains and insecurities out of the way so Your work can be done. I love you and continue to pray that I continually be drawn closer to You- to allow you to make me uncomfortable for change & growth to occur. Jesus I truly want to be more like You.
-Amen
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