Monday's Blessing
Ephesians 4:32
"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as god in Christ also has forgiven you."
We must learn to live in the present moment, making the most out of each day. We have to learn to forgive those people who have hurt us in the past. Too often, we try to collect debts back from the people who hurt us. It's like they owe us. After all, someone should pay for that pain we've suffered! It is a common human characteristic. After all, we are hurting, so in turn, we'd like some one or something to ease that present pain.
Collecting those debts are not what is going to make us pain-free again. Yesterday, I was talking to an older friend. She happens to rent out part of her house for special event dates in our area. This helps soothe her financial burdens monthly. One of her previous guests refused to leave for the new incoming guest. Furthermore, when they finally had to be escorted out, they left a huge amount of "stuff" hidden in closets and crawl spaces. They were most likely in between living arrangements and had been moving in items they had in storage slowly. Mary had no idea what was going on right under her feet!
When the day came for her new guests to arrive, she was met with an unbelievable "hording" issue. She had no recourse but to let the new guest in with numerous apologizes stating she will move all these items out as quickly as possible. The new guest, Maureen, had no sentiments and voiced her disapproval immediately. Mary continued her apologizes and each time Maureen left, Mary went over and grabbed as many items as possible and stealthy slid them into hiding spaces of her own. She assumed she'd handle the previous tenants items shortly after Maureen left.
This raised more concern for Maureen. She told Mary she had ruined her vacation by being there emptying closets and containers, continually. Mary was at her whits ends by the time she called me. She was angry and irritated at the woman who continually berated her each time she tried to make Maureen's living arrangements more spacious. She mentioned she was cruel and heartless due to not understanding a situation that was isolated and beyond her control. She further berated Maureen by saying she was insensitive and would not allow her back next year. I, had to agree, how could someone be so cruel with no understanding? After all, Mary was going in when she was not there most of the days.
Well, a few more sentences down into the conversation Mary said, "And, get this, she apologized a few days back saying she was under pressure and needed this quiet vacation desperately." She added, "But, I am not going to accept that apology after what she did to me."
Such vengeful snubs at the time may seemed significant to Mary, after all, she spent four days trying to play catch up. But over the period of the next several days, a bitter attitude began to build up causing a major problem. Mary was still upset days afterwards even though Maureen apologized. She simply could not let the situation go even though it was over in Maureen's eyes.
You have got to do your best to keep our own heart free and clean, because if you're poisoned with unforgiveness, bitterness, or resentment on the inside, eventually it will show up on the outside. You can not keep these things buried, It will continue again and again affecting your personality and daily outlook on life. You'll be hard to get along with , easily offended, uptight and negative.
That's why Scripture instructs us to put on a fresh new attitude very morning. Each morning, forgive the people who have hurt you. Every morning, let go of your disappointments and setbacks. Each new morning, receive God's mercy and forgiveness for the mistakes you've made, and forgive others for the hurt they have inflicted on you. Today focus on your possibilities, focus on what you can change rather than what you cannot change.
This Week's Meditation:
My salvation comes from me. It cannot come from anyone else.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. Each time a negative thought comes, imagine that you are walking through the dark clouds of your mind. Allow the clouds to touch you, feel its presence and then move on. Imagine as you go deeper there is a great light in the middle as you past these barriers. Remind yourself of healing each moment.
Ephesians 4:32
"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as god in Christ also has forgiven you."
We must learn to live in the present moment, making the most out of each day. We have to learn to forgive those people who have hurt us in the past. Too often, we try to collect debts back from the people who hurt us. It's like they owe us. After all, someone should pay for that pain we've suffered! It is a common human characteristic. After all, we are hurting, so in turn, we'd like some one or something to ease that present pain.
Collecting those debts are not what is going to make us pain-free again. Yesterday, I was talking to an older friend. She happens to rent out part of her house for special event dates in our area. This helps soothe her financial burdens monthly. One of her previous guests refused to leave for the new incoming guest. Furthermore, when they finally had to be escorted out, they left a huge amount of "stuff" hidden in closets and crawl spaces. They were most likely in between living arrangements and had been moving in items they had in storage slowly. Mary had no idea what was going on right under her feet!
When the day came for her new guests to arrive, she was met with an unbelievable "hording" issue. She had no recourse but to let the new guest in with numerous apologizes stating she will move all these items out as quickly as possible. The new guest, Maureen, had no sentiments and voiced her disapproval immediately. Mary continued her apologizes and each time Maureen left, Mary went over and grabbed as many items as possible and stealthy slid them into hiding spaces of her own. She assumed she'd handle the previous tenants items shortly after Maureen left.
This raised more concern for Maureen. She told Mary she had ruined her vacation by being there emptying closets and containers, continually. Mary was at her whits ends by the time she called me. She was angry and irritated at the woman who continually berated her each time she tried to make Maureen's living arrangements more spacious. She mentioned she was cruel and heartless due to not understanding a situation that was isolated and beyond her control. She further berated Maureen by saying she was insensitive and would not allow her back next year. I, had to agree, how could someone be so cruel with no understanding? After all, Mary was going in when she was not there most of the days.
Well, a few more sentences down into the conversation Mary said, "And, get this, she apologized a few days back saying she was under pressure and needed this quiet vacation desperately." She added, "But, I am not going to accept that apology after what she did to me."
Such vengeful snubs at the time may seemed significant to Mary, after all, she spent four days trying to play catch up. But over the period of the next several days, a bitter attitude began to build up causing a major problem. Mary was still upset days afterwards even though Maureen apologized. She simply could not let the situation go even though it was over in Maureen's eyes.
You have got to do your best to keep our own heart free and clean, because if you're poisoned with unforgiveness, bitterness, or resentment on the inside, eventually it will show up on the outside. You can not keep these things buried, It will continue again and again affecting your personality and daily outlook on life. You'll be hard to get along with , easily offended, uptight and negative.
That's why Scripture instructs us to put on a fresh new attitude very morning. Each morning, forgive the people who have hurt you. Every morning, let go of your disappointments and setbacks. Each new morning, receive God's mercy and forgiveness for the mistakes you've made, and forgive others for the hurt they have inflicted on you. Today focus on your possibilities, focus on what you can change rather than what you cannot change.
This Week's Meditation:
My salvation comes from me. It cannot come from anyone else.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. Each time a negative thought comes, imagine that you are walking through the dark clouds of your mind. Allow the clouds to touch you, feel its presence and then move on. Imagine as you go deeper there is a great light in the middle as you past these barriers. Remind yourself of healing each moment.
RSS Feed
