Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and
everyone who was in discontent gathered to him. So [David]
became captain over them.
(1 Sam. 22:2 NKJV)
Do you ever wish you could erase moments of time in your life?
One evening, a group of my single friends met to celebrate
Jerry's birthday. He was rather new to the group, but seemed to
do OK on my mental checklist for credibility.
Eventually the conversation got around to Jerry's new venture.
He shared all the details of how he had recently acquired a
small business. We sat captivated while he explained how he was
going to use proceeds from the business to help fund
missionaries and their work around the world. But his plan, he
said, would work much better with a little more operating
capital.
When he gave us an opportunity to help, I thought, count me in.
The others were also interested. Jerry could pile on the glamour
and charisma as thick as the icing on his birthday cake!
Little did I realize that, suddenly, I had become like one of
David's men---distressed, in debt, and discontent. My generous
loan to Jerry was unsecured. Foolishly, I had turned over hard
cash to him without receiving the written loan agreement he'd
promised to draw up, and now the birthday boy filed bankruptcy.
Aren't a promise, a smile, and a handshake enough between
friends? I thought. Apparently not.
However, even though I was angry and hurt, it was time to rise
up out of the ashes of defeat and be restored.
The book of James says that if we are a doer of the Word, we
will be blessed in what we do. Boy, did I need a blessing! So,
in times like the one above, we should begin to implement these
steps toward forgiveness:
1. Re-read Ephesians 4:31-5:2 (NIV).
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,
along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to
one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave
you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave
himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
2. Make a decision to get rid of all of it...
the anger, the bitterness, and the rage.
3. Remember how completely Christ forgave us.
Before we ever did anything right or anything wrong, Jesus laid
down His life, took our punishment, and made forgiveness
available to us.
4. Be an imitator of God.
There isn't anything Jesus hasn't already forgiven us of.
Therefore, there isn't anything we can't forgive someone else
of.
5. Put negative thoughts away.
When thoughts of that situation come back to visit us, we should
remember that we've already forgiven that person and we are
grateful to God who is restoring everything the devil has
stolen.
6. Obey what Jesus said to do in Matthew 5:44 (KJV).
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse
you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Sandra Hughes is an ordained minister, compelling speaker, and Director of All Nations School of Ministry located in Houston, Texas. She is a graduate of DOMATA Missions Training School and has served as Director of The Family Life Institute for Biblical Studies at Lakewood Church. Visit http://www.sandrahughes.org to book Sandra Hughes for your next church service, conference, meeting or retreat.
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The Secret to Your Healing Is In the Word