“Stories to Inspire” blog series: Forgiveness
Hi everyone,
Well this will be the last blog post in this Series! I hope everyone has enjoyed the "Stories to Inspire" blog posts and has felt inspired in the new year. I know life can feel so very difficult at times so it helps to have some encouragement, support, and inspiration along the way.
God has really put this important topic of "forgiveness" on my heart and mind lately. I've also been seeing things pop up everywhere lately about forgiveness (which is sometimes a sign that God is trying to teach me something) such as today's Daily Devotional by Joyce Meyer:
(From the app "Power Thoughts" by Joyce Meyer)
In the book I wrote, I spend a lot more time talking about this subject but I just want to touch on a few things in this post. Basically, forgiveness holds a lot of power in the spiritual realm. And there are a couple things to gently ask yourself (remember to be kind to yourself and give yourself a lot of grace here):
Am I in need of reconciliation in any area with God? Are there any areas of my life that I'm trying to keep "hidden" because I know it's wrong? If so, have I ever felt truly remorseful, confessed to God, and then asked for His forgiveness?
With Lent approaching, I think this is a really good time of year to do an examination of conscience if you don't often think about these things. We have a truly beautiful gift of having communion with God. A relationship. But what would it be like in a relationship when one person constantly lies, cheats, steals, or acts in a some kind of hurtful way? The relationship might not be as strong as it could be. When we repent (feel sorry for) our sins and then ask God for forgiveness, He gives us the beautiful gift of grace. The gift that Jesus died for us to have.
2. Now the second part is where it gets very difficult and a sensitive subject for almost everyone: Because we have been forgiven, we are called to forgive others ("Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.")
I know this is such a heavy subject that I don't think I'll go too much further into that one right now but it's just something to again think about as part of what may be affecting your spiritual health and well-being. And also for healing purposes.
I'll leave you with an absolutely amazing testimony of forgiveness that my dear friend was kind enough to share with me (she actually knows someone from the video- It's a true story and a segment was aired on NBC news) It's a very powerful video that demonstrates the power of grace and forgiveness:
🙏🙏🙏
I'm also inspired by this Billy Graham video called "The Power of Forgiveness":
along with all of Joyce Meyer's teachings on forgiveness! (Just search for "Joyce meyer, forgiveness" on YouTube to find)
Thank you for reading and God bless!
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