I was praying this morning and Jesus brought to my mind an event where a group of people were very insensitive and hateful towards me many years ago while I was still a New Christian. They were in a Ministry and a position of authority called to be caring towards those in pain. I should have walked away hating them. The only reason I did not hate them, or their group is because Jesus asked me to forgive them.
Empathy
Jesus showed me something about them that allowed me to have complete empathy for them and then He asked me to forgive them. He showed me that they were very young children trying to learn. I would not have been able to forgive them otherwise. Because of the act of forgiveness, I was able to put this event behind me. Jesus is bringing it to my mind this year to see it from a different perspective. When I think of it now; I weep that people can be so mean and hurt others because of their own wounds. It’s as if Jesus and I are weeping together for everyone.
Jesus Equips Us
He was showing me that I can forgive something very painful with His help. Each time anger or bitterness had tried to creep back in, I remembered how and why Jesus had me forgive them. In a very short time I had forgiven them so completely, that it was forgotten and put behind me. I remember it only when Jesus brings it to my mind to use it for His purpose. I have learned that bitterness will try to creep back in, but I only need to defeat bitterness by remembering how and why Jesus asked me to forgive someone.
Am I Wearing The Whole Armour of God?
God tells us in Ephesians 6 to put on the whole Armour of God because we need it. We need to be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. God makes it clear we do not wrestle really against people, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Evil tempts and uses immature people due to their own unresolved pain to cause additional harm to others. It’s as if the devil is playing with and manipulating everyone’s pain. It’s as if the devil uses us like a tile or bone in his sick Domino game. The bad news is that even a Mature Christian can act immature at times when they are not fully dressed in the Armour of God.
Does Bitterness or Hate Corrupt Our Character?
God helped me see that we are no Earthly Good when we allow hate or bitterness to live in our hearts. Bitterness and hate are offensive to the LORD. It does lead us to sin against God and causes hurt for others. The enemy of God wants us to be no Earthly Good. The enemy wants to fill us like a cheap yellow cup overflowing with hate and bitterness. The LORD wants to transform that cheap vessel filled with hate into something beautiful, filled with His living water. We must be willing to allow God to heal us of our bitterness and hate.
Have I asked God for Help?
We can’t forgive on our own power. We need to seek God’s help to forgive and to use good healthy coping skills. It is important that we see how these events affect us and how we respond. Ask God, “What do You want me to learn and understand from this?”.
God wants to turn the table on the devil and use these harmful events for good instead. God wants to transform our bitterness and hate into His Living Water. If we have become too comfortable in our bitterness and hatred, then we will need to be willing to become willing.
We must be honest with ourselves and pour out our whole heart to God. Are you willing to put on the whole Armour of God? Are you willing to give this event that harmed you to God? Are you willing to forgive the unforgivable by giving the event and people to God to deal with?
Focus on God
Holy Lord God Almighty, Sanctify me in Your Holiness through Your Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit rise up within me and clothe me in the Holy Armour of God. Christ, I give this event to You to deal with according to Your Will. Jesus, You have given me the power and authority to forgive those I have not forgiven. You are my God; I want the bitterness and hatred within me to be transformed into Your Living Water. I give You these people who have been an instrument of evil. I give them to You to deal with according to Your Perfect Will. I forgive them in Your Holy Name, and I am willing to be healed and made Whole in Jesus the Messiah of God. Praise You Holy Lord God Almighty for what You have done for me, what You are still doing in me and what You shall do. Be gloried Jesus because You are the Christ. Thank You for everything You have done for me. I love You and wait to follow You in love. Amen.