I love the last line of this particular scripture because it tells me that Abba doesn’t hold these mistakes over my head. He allows me to start with a clean slate after every misstep when I confess and repent.
Forgiveness can feel really foreign. For most, it doesn’t come easy because it is a concept that must be granted or accepted, extended and received.
Not only does God mandate me to forgive others, but I had to summon enough strength and compassion to forgive myself. I had to confess the compromise in my values. I had to confess the anger and resentment I felt toward my father and my estranged husband. I had to confess the guilt I felt for putting my girls in an impossible situation and then I had to release it ALL in order to move forward.
The release is the true manifestation of forgiveness. You are not truly free until you can maintain your peace in the presence of the person you are working to forgive. He or she no longer elicits a strong, negative response from you when your paths cross.
This journey has taught me that forgiveness is a spiritual act and is next to impossible to walk in fully without God’s grace to do so. Forgiveness is a choice that must be made daily and it is often a process that happens in stages. As soon as you think you are walking in it, a test will come to reveal the remnants of hidden bitterness. The goal is to keep fighting and confessing until your heart is free of any debris that will keep you stuck.
I was in denial for so long about the condition of my heart. I realized the ill will I felt toward those who had offended me did nothing to hinder their lives. It only hindered mine by keeping me in emotional bondage.
More Room Out Than In
2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Well, my friends, we have come to the end of this journey together. The simple act of journaling has morphed into a book that I pray will lead you on a faith-filled journey to self-discovery and self-acceptance.
When I heeded the call to complete this task, my prayer was that this book would read like a parable so that you might see yourself through my story. No accusations. No ridicule. No judgment.
I pray that the words on these pages will act as a catalyst for you owning where you are and you committing to doing the work to set yourself free. Like my mom always says, “There is more room out than in!”
Be courageous enough to investigate the root causes of your discontentment. I challenge you to stand in the authority that you have through Jesus Christ, look the enemy in the face and command him to cease and desist.
You deserve God’s best. I pray that you begin to believe this with everything in you and began taking back the things that you have allowed stinking thinking to steal from you. The only power Satan has over you is the power that you relinquish to him!
God’s grace is sufficient. God will carry you through the pain as you revisit past traumas and release any hindrances to your progress. He will be right there with you as you remove any emotional or spiritual malignancy from your life.
God’s strength is made perfect in your weakness. Lean on Him as you work to create the life you have always dreamed about.
[1] compassion. 2018. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved May 30, 2018 from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compassion
[2] stronghold. 2018. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved May 30, 2018 from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold
[3] Eckhardt, J. (2016). Destroying the Spirit of Rejection. Lake Mary, FL.: Charisma House.
[4] Prince, D. (2006). Blessing or Curse: You Can Choose. Grand Rapids, MI: Chosen.
[5] Gibson, E. (2010). Whoever You Are, Wherever You Are, It’s Okay.
Bloomington, IN: Exlibris.
