THE BITTER-SWEET TASTE OF FORGIVENESS

Forgiving someone whom you feel has mistreated you or been unfair toward you is one of the most difficult pills to choke down. Actually, it’s not about forgiving them at all, it about giving up control of the situation. By forgiving them it feels like you are conceding. It is a bitter taste.
Earlier this week, I took my car to a local auto repair place because the rear window in my van wasn’t working. It worked just fine when I took my car in last week for some other repairs and when I got home; I discovered that it would not close. Naturally, I assumed that something just got disconnected while they were fixing the other electrical problem. They told me to bring it back the next day. I did. They looked for nearly an hour and found nothing that would have caused the problem. So, at their suggestion I took it back a few days later and left it with them. After two hours, they were not able to find the problem, but at my request, hot wired the motor to the window and closed it. This kind gesture cost me over $200 in labor…for a problem that I still believe they caused. The window was fine when I took it in the first time and hasn’t worked since.
I don’t believe they should have charged me for that work. They didn’t even fix the problem! Now I have a window that doesn’t work and I’m out $207.00. I expressed my displeasure in their service and told them I shouldn’t have to pay bill. As I hung up the phone after receiving the bad news, I was both angry and sad because what I really wanted was an auto repair place that I could trust to give me fair service. I placed my trust in them and got burned.
As is usual in situations like this, when I feel like I’ve been taken advantage of, I got furious with them. After speaking to them on the phone, the more I thought about it, the more I fumed. The angrier I got the more upset I became. Immediately the Holy Spirit brought to my mind Psalm 37. Several times it talks about not getting all worked up over being treated unfairly because those who do wrong to you will soon fade but God’s people will be blessed by God.
At first, I didn’t want to even listen to what God’s word said. I wanted to get even with them for causing me so much loss. It wasn’t until I literally stepped out of the house to go get my vehicle, did I start to embrace the commandment to forgive them for the wrong they did to me. I knew all along that the enemy was feeding my emotions and tempting me with doing the wrong thing (that felt SO right!)
When the time came to “face the giant” I was nice. No nasty comments about how I felt that they treated me unfairly. I didn’t even remind them that I would not be back for service, even though I probably won’t. I wanted to give them a piece of my mind and tell them what an injustice they committed against me. I wanted to throw a little temper tantrum, but, by the grace of God, I chose not to do those things.
Funny, as I drove away, I began to feel better. No more anger towards them, not even when retelling my situation to others. I had forgiven them. It still didn’t taste good, but I swallowed my pride and let go of control of the situation and the emotions. Immediately I felt better.
After picking up my car, I picked up my daughter from a friends home nearby. My friend was having a crumby day too and when I heard about her problems, I realized that Satan had been busy all day long trying to discourage both of us. I was so glad when I learned that through the power of God, we were overcoming the enemy in the battle that day.
As I look back on the whole day, I can see several times that could have gone bad had I made different choices. I wouldn’t call it a (feel) good day, but it was a victorious day because God was honored, His attributes smothered the world’s attributes.
As my friend and mentor, Alice, always says to me, “Remember the Big S!”
SURRENDER.
It’s all about giving up control…even when you think you already have.

ARE YOU A FRIEND OF GOD?

Do you have a BFF? Translation: Best Friend Forever. If you've ever had one in your lifetime, then you know how "into" each other you were. You knew everything there was to know about that person. This week when I read through Psalm 37, again, it reminded me of another scripture I had read and heard used recently. John 15.

Psalm 37:39-40 reminds me that my salvation comes from the Lord, he is my stronghold in times of trouble and will deliver and save me. Just like the best friend who stuck by you during tough times in school or even now in adulthood. John 15:13 talks about a best friend. A friend who loves you so much he is willing to die for you. Are you willing to die for your friends?

Jesus told his disciples in John 15:14, and this applies to us today, he no longer calls them (or us) servants, but friends, because he wants us to know everything there is to know about Him. Jesus wants to be your BFF! How cool is that! The greatest person who ever lived who was part God and part man, wants to be your Best Friend Forever!

Will you accept his offer and take time to know him inside and out? Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." John 15:4 says that keeping God's commands means our joy will be full and we are a friend of Christ. I don't know about you, but I could really use a cool friend of God to be my BFF.

I started this friendship about 33 years ago. My relationship with Jesus keeps getting sweeter and sweeter. He has ALWAYS been there for me and has NEVER left me stranded during a tough situation. In fact, it was always during my toughest times in life (big life decisions, death of my mother, adoption of my first child and birth of my second child) that Jesus was right by myside helping me to make it through the crisis or struggle. He was also there to share in my joys.

The best part about having Jesus as your BFF, is that he is capable of having more than one BFF. Do you need and/or want a BFF. Jesus is available!

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN, YOU'RE BUILDING GOD-ESTEEM

Phillips, Craig and Dean sing a song that is a favorite of mine because it speaks to me on multiple levels. It's titled, "Let the River Flow" and you can hear it at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGplpTUytfQ. As we allow the Holy Spirit to flow through us, we allow the transformation from self-esteem to God-esteem to be established. What we experience here on earth, is only for a short time.

I want to invite you on to join me in a weekly Bible study of the 37th chapter of Psalms. I have started reading it and taking a close look at that psalm. I am also reading in the book of James and discovered a connection between the two selections.

Chapter 1 in the book of James talks about the testing of your faith and makes mention that riches are like the beautiful flowers and grass. They quickly fade in the sun's heat and loose their beauty (James 1: 9-11)

Psalm 37 talks about how God has not forgotten us. It tells us not to "fret" or worry. Three times in the first 8 verses God is telling us not to worry about those who prosper over us or do evil to us. It is also full of promises. Psalm 37:1-4 sounds a lot like James:

"Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."

I hope those who read this blog post, will share their perspective with the group. Psalm 37:1-4 sounds great in theory, but what about application? "Dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness." is a loaded statement. Sometimes that land you dwell in is scary, lonely, uncomfortable, and the perfect breeding ground for anger, deceit and depression. How do YOU "befriend faithfulness" during these tough times?

Post your comment below.

My challenge to you is to read Psalm 37 everyday for a week or two and each time you read it, ask God to reveal something new to you. You may want to highlight all the promises mentioned in the chapter.

Thanks for checking in!