Pause: A Month of Peace in Five Minutes a DaySmakprov

Proclaim

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)

Prompt

Bitterness is a weight that holds you back and keeps you down. It’s an anchor that ties you to your pain and keeps a mask over your face. That’s why it’s so important to learn to forgive.

Your pain may have been inflicted by another person, or it may have been the result of your own choices, but either way, you have to forgive. I know it’s hard. I know it can feel like giving up or letting the other person win.

I also know that forgiveness is necessary for peace, happiness, and hope.

When you forgive, you’re acknowledging the power of your pain, you’re recognizing what it is doing within you, and you’re intentionally cutting off that power in order to get out of that debilitating cycle you’re stuck in. Forgiveness brings freedom with it, but sometimes, to get there, you have to forgive over and over again, probably for the rest of your life.

Prod

Is there anyone in your life you need to forgive (again) today? As you listen to today’s song, think about how much YOU’VE been forgiven. That might help you as you work to forgive others.

Praise

Listen to “Forgiven” by Crowder

Pray

Jesus, thank you for your grace for me. Thank you for forgiving ME! Help me to forgive [NAME A PERSON (OR YOURSELF)] today. I give them to you; let me walk with open hands throughout the rest of my day. Amen.