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Day 3
Forgiving the “No Sisters” (and Others)
Moving into a future of yeses requires dealing with the nos, and the first step is to embrace the freeing power of forgiving the people who have hurt you. If we spin those hurts for our good and use the experiences to empower us for impactful Yes Sister living, each of our antagonists offers us valuable growth opportunities.
Nos and No Sisters have brought us to our knees and shredded our hearts and our self-esteem. They’ve shamed us, lied to us, and held us back. They’ve turned others against us. They’ve embarrassed, frightened, teased, mocked, manipulated, humiliated, broken, and possibly even destroyed us. The faithfulness of sisterhood can’t possibly have anything to do with nos. That might be true if it weren’t for a single word that changes everything: redemption. That’s the big R—Jesus Redemption.
No Sisters can be called that because the juxtaposition of those two words—no and sisters—puts redemption in front of us every time we read them. Redemption makes a 180-degree turn possible. And redemption is the victor over every hurt you and I carry. We claim the Holy Spirit’s victory every time we see a No Sister through Jesus’s eyes and pray for restoration on her behalf.
No Sisters are not our real enemies. Satan is the enemy of their souls, the same as ours. He wants more than anything to twist our thoughts to believe that redemption and forgiveness of a No Sister is a ridiculous, impossible idea. Remembering our true enemy keeps us from wasting precious energy fighting against imperfect people. Is it possible to forgive our persecutors? Absolutely, but not without the Holy Spirit’s power. Only He can free us from unforgiveness toward a No Sister. We need His redemption as much as she does.
When a No Sister crosses your mind, allow Jesus’ love for her and His desire for her redemption to overcome feelings about anything she did or could do to us. Let that happen and enjoy a new level of healing. In Him, we win. And what’s more, we even begin to want Him to redeem her brokenness so she can experience healing too.
Leave the No Sister in your life to God while He and you work on you. Life is so much more peaceful and joyful in His care.
About this Plan
It’s great for a woman to have friends, but it’s a treasure to have Yes Sisters as well—women who express an affirming yes! when we most need it. If you’re seeking relationships that run deeper than the occasional coffee get-together, this seven-day YouVersion reading plan based on Angelia White’s insightful Yes Sisters will encourage you to surround yourself with women who affirm, encourage, and challenge you.
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