Forgive-ability!

By Susan Gahan

Now is the time to get real with ourselves. One cannot be whole until one searches one's heart. Many are trying to do the right thing. We try to be compassionate, loving, and caring (all good biblical things), but we have things in our lives that need attention. One cannot live in the past or dwell on things that have happened. You know, the things that can haunt our thinking, things we have done or said. These issues must be dug out of our inner spirit and let go. From experience, I have learned over the years that there can be things that linger, causing great harm.

Deep-seated issues can be buried deep within that lie dormant. As they grow and take on greater roots with age, they can consume us even to the point of lacking concentration on anything but what is eating us alive. The issue might be something that happened in our childhood or something that happened as recently as last year, but it is buried. However, to be set free from these emotional strongholds, they must be confronted and confessed to God, for it is how He sets you free.

For example, one must forgive those who have hurt you, whether intentionally or not. One cannot possibly function fully (in life or for God) if one cannot forgive. The issue might be terrible and continues to fester in your heart, but do not allow the one responsible (don't give them the power) to keep you bound. You change. The person who has wronged you might see the change in you, which, in turn, might produce some kind of change in them. Remember: Forgive as you have been forgiven! That is a biblical truth. The individual journey to this freedom, though, lies with each one of us. Face the big, bad wolf inside and pray for God's guidance.

Give it all to Him at the Cross and feel your freest in years. Many (me) have wasted a lot of life thinking and dwelling on things that only God can heal.

Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (NIV).