Fearlessly CourageousDesk of Dennis Piller4 17 2023
Click for Audio VersionThe Self-Destructive Sin of Unforgiveness
There were times in my life I was so focused on limitations, distractions, doubts, and losses that I failed to see my possibilities. Times when I fixed my thoughts, my goals, my choices, and my habits in ways that led to death instead of life. Times when I lost sight of true vision – God’s awesome purpose for my life. To worship Him, to seek Him, to honor Him, and to obey Him…so that He might be glorified in and through every race I run.Have you been there? Are you there now?
There are always things to be thankful for and forgiveness has so much to do with what you are thankful for. Unforgiveness is a thief. It steals more than what you agree to give. It weaves itself into the fabric of your loving. It steals the kindness we need to live and laugh and forgive. It is like a wild boar who gnarls at the roots of your life’s tree. Stealing its vibrancy and life.Unforgiveness. What is it really? What is it that you’re holding onto? Maybe it’s buried and doesn’t come to memory all the time. But during those times you know it’s there.
Unforgiveness – do you have any idea of what it keeps you from?
It will keep you from experiencing the joy and peace that God promises in His Word. It can hurt you by causing bitterness, resentment, and a host of other negative emotions and reactions causing serious health issues. The Bible speaks clearly and often about the importance of forgiveness and the consequences of not forgiving others.But there are real-life issues that can seriously derail us. Bad things happen to good people; Divorce, the loss of a loved one. a prodigal, a dark life growing up, abusive or drug-related people in our lives, broken relationships. bitter words and past failures. The list of experiences that cause so much emotional and spiritual damage is long.
Unforgiveness can come to us easily and in the natural…. be justifiable.
It isn’t easy but isn't this the season of renewal? It was just Easter. He is risen! It’s spring everywhere and life is rising and blooming in all the universe. Forgiveness has always been the way forward but how can one forgive without love? Love is the gateway. Jesus was poured out to forgive us. His road is one of love and forgiveness. The curse of unforgiveness steals the good in your life and family and also dims our vision and capacity to understand and be understanding. It clogs the filter of Gods loving kindness.In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus teaches us to forgive others in order to be forgiven by God: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,It’s time to surrender things and give them over to God. Some of our problems may be in forgiving ourselves. Let me help you reframe your thinking and not lean on your own understanding. Unforgiveness is defined as “a refusal to forgive or to show mercy”, and keep you from experiencing the joy and peace that God promises in His Word.
How hard is it to surrender cancer? That's easy because we see we have been delivered from death! Until we see unforgiveness as cancerwe will not let go of it with gladness.
In Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends,…It is mine to avenge; I will repay” That my friends is real freedom because this sin locks the unforgiving person in their own self-made prisonEphesians 4:31-32 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
When we surrender these things to Christ it changes our filter and changes how we see things… He changes our perspective. Isn't that something to celebrate and be thankful for? What are you thankful for?
Gratitude is a certain pathway to God's peace and hope springs eternal. Stop letting your past cloud your present It’s like a fog that shields the sun
To live the lives we were born to live; our vision must be cast beyond the restrictions and obstacles of our past. We must stop living our lives in our rearview mirrors. Your name is written in the eternal book of life. How grateful are you for that? Perhaps we should repent for that also.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God… Lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed” (Hebrews 12:1-2,12,13).What Mercy Did For Me [feat. Crystal Yates Micah Tyler Joshua Sherman]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GRU5K3UFmE&list=PLCd-wh1hNZpQRQZ73gnTCeUYflnkLMF_S&index=6
