Forgiveness: Do You Need the Magic Eraser? Sample

OUR HEALING STARTS WHEN FORGIVENESS BEGINS!

Part of being forgiven is to love those who treat us badly. Wow, Lord, that is a big order for us to follow!

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?" Matthew 5:43-46

It is normal to ask the Lord the following questions:

How, Lord, do we ask for blessings for those who have used us and abused us? How do You expect us to pray for them? How do we learn to love those who have caused us so much emotional or physical pain? Lord, how can You expect a woman who has been physically assaulted and verbally abused, or a child who has been sexually assaulted, to pray for their assailant? This seems impossible, Lord.

We are made in the image of God, and to be more like Him, we need to obey Him. Have we not caused the Lord deep pain by our sins? In spite of our darkest secrets, He still loves us. He still went forward from Gethsemane to Calvary to bear the cross. He still intercedes 24/7 to Father God on our behalf. He still opens His arms and welcomes all sinners and forgives repentant hearts because of His mercy and grace.

So, yes, if we desire to become more like Him, we will abide by His teachings to erase all bitterness and forgive others just as Christ has forgiven us.

PRAYER STARTER:

Father, being obedient to Your word is not always easy, but because You bore the cross for me, I'm reminded that we can do all things through You. My natural desire is to lash out at those who wounded me, but I know the godly way is to pray for them and treat them with kindness. Our healing starts where forgiveness begins. My reward for obedience is to be called Your child! Thank You, Lord for........

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