FREEDOM

I remember seeking the Lord in the scriptures many years ago. Asking Him to help me understand them so I could come to my own conclusion of what the Bible said instead of just listening to what everyone else was telling me. Certain verses began to stand out  more than others & minister life to my soul. He also began to reveal to me what took peace away from my spirit.

 There was a person who betrayed my friendship & it caused me a great deal of pain. The scripture that convicted me to do something about it was Matthew 6:14,15.  For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. I couldn't bear the thought of forgiving that person but the desire to please the Lord was stronger. It became a wrestling match in my thoughts and prayers, even making me angry. "Why did I have to forgive a person who hurt me when I did nothing wrong to them?" I didn't think I could. With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27

 Eventually deciding to be obedient I put my trust in God, the all knowing Creator of life itself & the entire universe, that He would know what was best for me better than I did. So I prayed and asked Him to help me do it. It was an honest prayer because I knew God would know my heart. Every time I thought of  it I would say; "Father help me to forgive and to really mean it. Even though I don't mean it I will do it because You want me to. Then I would just say it! I forgive..."

 There was freedom in that prayer. Every time I prayed it, which was a lot. Eventually I even meant it & was no longer bound by the chains of hurt & pain that had burdened me for so long. Through this continual process of bringing it to God & leaving it at the cross I was able to exchange my pain for His comfort, my hurt for His love & experience the restoration in my soul that He wanted me to have. Galatians 5:1 Forgiveness frees you to be who the Lord created you to be.

Who the Son sets free is free indeed John 8:36 

 Laura Lawrence
Discovery Time Director