Broken Pieces

"I forgive you!"

I believe this response rolls off the tongue too easily.  The phrase used too loosely.  Each word comes freely in conversation, almost automatically.  Our wiring prompts such words in the same manner that responding “fine” to the question, “How are you doing?”  Or in the same manner of responding “hello” back to another met along the way.

Often the flesh responds before the emotions weigh in the situation.  The flesh holds power over feelings.  The flesh hides our hearts just as clothes hide nakedness.  With years of relying on flesh to keep the heart covered, individuals lose ability to feel true emotion.  The heart withers and dies.  Oh, it keeps beating to sustain physical life; but, emotionally and spiritually, it dies.

Depending on the version used, the Bible mentions forgiveness anywhere from 56 – 74 times.  We know God commands such response to this broken world full of hurting individuals.  But, how often do we throw out an “I forgive you” while our heart breaks into a thousand pieces.  We leave the pieces crumbled on the floor, harden our flesh and walk forward.

The hardened flesh protects the deadened heart by pushing everyone away, never to get close enough for the same hurt to repeat itself.  One individual’s action (done from a hurting heart itself) leads to hundreds of lost relationships.  We decide no one else will hurt us ever again!  We lose!  The other person walks away, feeling forgiveness and continues with their life.

God does not command restitution with others.  God commands forgiveness.  He forgave our sins by sending His Only Son to die.  He forgave when we placed idols higher in ranking than Him.  He forgave when our hurting heart hurt one of His children.  He forgave you and He forgave me!
To shine the light of Jesus on others, we must truly forgive.  How?  A realm of steps can be taken depending on the situation.  First and foremost – lay it at the Cross.  A humble heart can begin restoration.  A heart after God can come alive even stronger than before it broke into a thousand pieces.

I walked for years, hardened flesh, broken heart, weak spirit.  I walked for years fuming in anger.  I walked for years feeling ‘owed’ something due to the hardships in life.  I walked around lost, throwing ‘pity parties’ left and right only to find no one attended – not even God.  Yes, God hurt when I hurt and He wanted to bring healing.  But, with the hardened flesh, resentful thoughts and weak spirit, He could not remove the blinders.

Truth by Truth, the flesh softened.  He began picking up the pieces and the Holy Spirit strengthened.  I began to let others come closer.  I learned how to let love in.  I understood true release of resentment.  No more anger.  No more rejection.  No more pain.

Hurting people hurt people.  Forgiveness can be reached as we approach the Cross humbly and see the other person through God’s eyes.  Their actions come from a hardened flesh, broken heart and weak spirit.  Forgive them just as God forgave you when you stood in that same position!  Forgive them so they too may find the Cross and humbly approach Him!  It is through your example that others will find God.  God will take them and bring healing.

Leave ‘it’ at the Cross today.  Humbly approach God.  Stand on Truth and begin softening the flesh.

   
It’s DAY TWELVE. . .who needs your true forgiveness today!
   
Live life. . .One Day at a time!
Sheree Craig  

What happens when humility meets the Cross. . .

 JOY

 LOVE

 LAUGHTER

 PEACE

 RELATIONSHIPS

MEMORIES