If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
How to Pray without Ceasing
7. When you mess up, admit it.
I don’t know about you, but I could spend most of my praying-without-ceasing time simply confessing a litany of my sins and failings: I just yelled at my kids; I’m jealous of the perfect little family one my friends posts about daily on Facebook; so-and-so is a real jerk and I don’t like him… and so on. Luckily, when we confess, God forgives us, so we don’t need to dwell there. That in itself is another reason to praise Him.
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Wow, do I agree with that! I go through the day every day, having to ask for forgiveness for things that make me mad or upset. I really went through this the day we had gotten home from our vacation last week. Someone did something that I didn't like. It had been a long night and when we arrived home that morning, we were exhausted. And I couldn't even go right to bed because I was so angry. But I finally settled down enough to know that nothing would be solved the way I was feeling. So, I needed to go to sleep for a while.
When I got back up, I was still angry but not like I had been. And for the first few days being home, I contemplated over letting this person know how I felt. But God's word spoke to me that week. And this is what it said.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Luke 6:36-37
I decided not to confront her. And later in the week I found our why that was a good decision. But I won't say what that is, here.
My prayer that day was "Forgive me Lord. And thank you that I chose to not confront her."
In fact, after that, I gave this person a gift. And you know what, it was so freeing that with my anger gone, I could share something with her.
Jesus forgave us our sin when he died on the cross and I sure don't compare this thing I did with that. Not at all. However, because he did and does forgive us our sin, how can I not forgive her for what she did. I came to realize that she probably didn't even mean to.
Forgiveness is not always easy. Ask any married couple that live together 24/7 in their retirement. That can be another bone of contention. And I spend a lot of my time every day asking God for forgiveness. But don't tell my husband that. Because:
"Love keeps no record of wrongs." 1 Corinthians 13:5
and I am sure he gets angry with me too.
Thanks for coming by today, Friends. May God bless you
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