Momentum: How To Ignite Your FaithÖrnek

BEING EATEN ALIVE FROM THE INSIDE

Think of the person who has hurt you the most. Does a name come to mind? Can you see his or her face in your mind’s eye? What did you do with that hurt? Dealing with life’s deep hurts is not easy or painless, but God has given us crystal-clear instructions on how we are to respond. Read the following passage slowly and carefully. These words are the path to freedom and joy and peace of mind:

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:"

“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:"

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17–21)

Chip Ingram outlines 3 stages in the journey of forgiveness.

Stage 1: Forgive
By an act of the will, you make the choice to forgive. You don’t need to feel like forgiving someone to do it. You have had no control over what this person did to you, but you have 100 percent control over your response.

Stage 2: Forgiving
This part of the process could take months or even years. Even though you have made the decision to forgive, old emotions can still rise to the surface. And when they do, you keep going back to the choice you made.

Stage 3: Forgiven
Now you can authentically pray for blessing in this person’s life and genuinely rejoice when they are blessed.

The message of God for us today is that the only thing more powerful than evil is good. Over the next few days, we’ll be looking at the Old Testament Bible character Joseph, who is the poster child for forgiving others.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Have you experienced the self-damage that unforgiveness can have on your heart? Are you ready to begin the three-stage process of forgiveness?

Today’s Takeaway
You must release, not relive your hurts. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets sick.