The Freedom to Let It Go

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13

Question: Is there someone you’ve been unwilling to forgive? Who is it that comes to mind? Now, I assure you in some situations, you’re not going to be able to forgive people in your own strength. The hurt is too deep. We need to ask God to help us do what we cannot do. Ask for His supernatural power to begin to forgive that person.

You see, unwillingness to forgive is unwillingness to give control to God. Leave "getting even" up to Him. In fact, the Bible tells us, "'Vengeance is mine. I will repay,' saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19) How do you know when forgiveness is complete? For me, it’s when I’m able to see that person without having a knot in the pit of my stomach. There’s no sense of bitterness or resentment – just acceptance. Does that mean you merely trust them? Oh no - it's even greater than that. You choose to love them. It’s a great miracle that God brings about when we ask His help in forgiving others.

If you’re really struggling in this area, remember, Jesus is our ultimate example. Nobody was more innocent than Jesus. He had no sin. We murdered Him with our sins on the cross. And while we were murdering Him, He said, “Father, forgive them.” If Jesus can forgive us for that, then through His power, we can forgive others who have wronged us, no matter how awful the deed. Ask God to help you do this today. You won't believe the freedom you will find once you let go. 

In His love

Should I Wear These Earrings?

"Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. But let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." - 1 Peter 3:3,4

It’s absolutely undeniable that women can be obsessed about beauty. Wanting to look beautiful is very important. So what does God’s Word say about this? Now, when you read verse 3, at first you might think, ‘Well, God’s Word is saying that a woman should not do anything in regard to beauty enhancement.’ And you begin to think, “Is it wrong to want to enhance the beauty that God has given me? Is it wrong to be concerned about external or outward beauty?”

How do we understand this? The key word in the first verse is the word ‘merely.’ Look at what it says. The concern of God’s Word is being excessively focused on outer beauty to the neglect of your relationship with God that brings about an inner beauty. When God put Adam in the Garden of Eden, he didn’t tell Adam, ‘Let it run wild. Don’t worry about doing anything.’ No, He said, “Tend the garden.” The Garden was already beautiful, but man’s responsibility was to enhance that beauty.

Well, God’s most beautiful creation is woman. There is no creation of God more beautiful. So, enhancing that beauty can be a good thing, but when it becomes an excessive focus to the neglect of a relationship with God, then it becomes a very negative thing.

So, what God is calling on a woman to do in thinking about all this pressure on outward beauty? Look back up at today’s scripture.God’s Word is speaking about a type of beauty that is eternal. Let’s face it, people. No outward beauty lasts forever, but inner beauty does. So, focus most on beauty that lasts forever.

Here’s the key: There’s nothing wrong with trying to look beautiful. I’m sure the man in your life appreciates it. But it doesn’t come before seeking the inner beauty that is found only in a day-by-day relationship with God. He can take what common man might not see as beautiful and create beauty beyond compare that grows more beautiful over time. Now, that’s true beauty. 

In His love