12 Weeks of Prayer Week 6 Day 1
Let God Handle It
By Linda A. Knowles
"You, however, are controlled not by the flesh,
but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.
And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,
he does not belong to Christ."
Romans 8:9
I guess we could hold a grudge against those who have betrayed us simply because each of us has free will, but how would that help us by holding a grudge against those who betray us? Is it worth holding a grudge? Is it worth all the time and effort to hold on to anger or hurt? Each of us have experienced a betrayal or a broken relationship. Each of us has experienced broken heartedness.
If we allow ourselves to be controlled by anger or hurt or unforgiveness, it ends up being disastrous. As followers of Christ, we have the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, producing the fruit of self-control. Even in the middle of an emotional upheaval, we are not to let emotions overtake us to the point where we are exhibiting behavior that is unacceptable in the eyes of God. We must exercise the fruit of the Spirit called self-control. We may experience emotional upheavals by broken relationships or betrayals, but in those experiences, it is an opportunity for us to lean into God, follow His instructions as to what to do in those experiences, and get to know God's character and nature in a deeper way.
Forgiveness is not an easy thing to do; however, when we realize how much God has forgiven us for, forgiveness becomes a little easier. Matthew 6:15 states, "But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." We forgive because we have been forgiven much, and this verse is clear. If we want to be forgiven by Our Heavenly Father, then we must forgive. When we choose forgiveness, we are choosing life. When we choose forgiveness, we are choosing to follow the example that Christ set forth for us to follow.
Don't allow yourself to be overtaken by emotional upheavals. Remember the Word says in Romans 8:12 that you are under no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do and allow the Holy Spirit to work through you to produce the fruit of self-control.
Heavenly Father, You are the One who mends broken hearts. You are the One who can restore relationships and draw people unto Yourself. Father, help me to always remember how much You have forgiven me. Help me to choose to obey Your command to forgive for it is only when I forgive, Lord, that I am choosing You who are Life. Show me, O God, how to forgive as You do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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