Forgiving as Christ Forgave: A 7-Day JourneySample

Getting hurt in life is inevitable; staying hurt is a choice. You can decide to remain a victim by dwelling on how things should have been, or use the experience to grow stronger and wiser. At the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus met a man who’d been lying paralysed on a mat for 38 years. When Jesus discovered how long he’d been there, He asked, ‘Do you want to get well?’ After 38 years, the chances are this man saw his handicap as part of his identity. He’d been incapacitated for so long he thought like a victim: ‘I have no one to help me into the pool…’ (John 5:7 NIV) Translation: ‘Nobody cares.’

But Jesus did, and He commanded him to get up and walk. Now this man simply obeyed Jesus' instructions, he didn't argue the point or fall back on traditions or superstitions, he just obeyed and was healed on the spot. The church is made up of flawed human beings who sometimes speak without thinking and hurt others.

But that’s no reason for leaving the church, because we're all at different points along the journey of faith - so we need to be gracious toward each other! ‘…You’re part of the body of Christ…’ (Colossians 3:15 CEV) Apart from it you’ve no function, no food supply, and no fulfilment, so you begin to wither spiritually. Walk through the process of asking God for healing, trust in His Word and be patient with those walking the journey with you.