As I continue to work on my forgiveness list, I realize how hard it truly is to forgive people, yet God does it everyday. We're forgiven to the point where we are openly allowed to approach the throne of grace to petition the Lord with our wants and needs. I'm blown away by this. It simply amazes me that God loves us so much that he not only forgives us our sins, but then desires for us to come to him with our needs.
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrew 4:16
I don't know about you, but I have so many needs I can barely keep count and yet the Lord knows my every need. So while I keep plugging away on my forgiveness list, God himself is going before me. I stand amazed...simply amazed.
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Remember that forgiveness is for YOUR FREEDOM! You forgive not for the offender, but so that you can be FREE of the poison in the offence! Unforgiveness is like taking poison and hoping the offender dies.
If you like you read, go buy yourself "Boundaries" by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. They do the greatest job defining God's heart on love, forgiveness, reconciliation and healthy relationships!
I posted a section in their book "Hiding From Love" on a short rendition of boundaries in my Blog if you want a little taste of their insight: http://farnst.blogspot.com/2008/01/our-need-for-separateness-part-1.html There are 8 parts to this chapter on separateness in my Blog, so you will have to navigate to each section by clicking "Newer Post" at the bottom left of my Blog.
"Boundaries" changed my life in FREEDOM in relationship!
Ha! Rebekah, the irony of that post is that my pastor is beginning a series on "Boundaries" today. But yes, I'll get to that book, and yes by the end of the day I'll be through my list. Btw, glad to have heard your story on these blogs...its an amazing testimony.
You might not naturally pick up "Boundaries With Kids" if you don't have children, but that book gives incredible insight into where we came from (in our childhood) and why we are what we are today. It helped me really understand my husband, and why he is what he is—giving me great compassion and additional love for him (even though he almost destroyed me). My husband is narcissistic and 1% of those with narcissism become healthy and whole, but I ask God for the impossible, because God is "able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]”
You will enjoy "Boundaries" and if you want additional insight, go grab "Boundaries With Kids" too!
Your pastor will be a great support to bounce off of as you establish freedom in relationships with boundaries! HOW COOL!
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