Words of encouragement
*Hello, Blessed-Ones, does hate and bitterness consume you? If the mention of a person’s name causes you to become angry, think ugly thoughts or say hateful things about that individual, it’s a good sign you have hidden bitterness in the back of your mind that maybe not even you realize you’re holding on to.
I know a woman whose Mother woke in the middle of the night to a robber in her home. She was beaten with an iron rod by the robber who, it was later announced, appears was under the influence of some drug. The woman’s mother died a couple of weeks later as an indirect result of her injuries from that incident. But, what is more painful than her mother being beaten and later dying is finding out that the robber was her 16-year old nephew, the grandson of her Mother.
I tell you this story because though the woman was deeply hurt to find her own nephew had committed this despicable crime, her heart went out to him. She was able to forgive him. Many don’t understand how one can forgive another; especially when in this case, the actions resulted in the death of another. And, if you were to ask this woman how she could come to forgive, particularly knowing the perpetrator is someone related to her, she would tell you, “Only God.”
When you know and have a growing, ongoing relationship with God, you will find that even in, the midst of chaos or painful and distressful news, Gods Love, His forgiveness and His peace keep you in ways the world cannot and doesn’t understand.
This woman could have chosen to hold on to hate towards her nephew; instead, she chose to release it and give it to God.
We all know someone who has wronged or hurt us in some way. And though forgiveness many times doesn’t come easy, it’s what God has called us to do. Ephesians 4:31-32 says we are to 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 us.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:14 “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But, if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.“
There’s a song by Christian artist, Matthew West called, “Forgiveness.” The first few lines says,
“it’s the hardest thing to give away and the last thing on your mind today. It always goes to those who don’t deserve. It’s the opposite of how you feel when the pain they caused is just too real. It takes everything you have to say the word – forgiveness.”
Take the time to listen to this song on YouTube. He talks about how learning to forgive sets the prisoner free.
Blessed-Ones, learn to let it go and find that the prisoner it really frees is YOU.
Be blessed and a blessing,
Bride of Christ 
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