Day 30: Forgiveness

40 Days Transformation and Change of Heart

Day 30: Forgiveness

One of the trickiest change of heart for me is forgiveness. holding on to old hurts and mistakes and beating yourself up over and over again- is like walking in the mud and then walking in your house and realizing your mistake- you take the mud off and keep it in a baggie with you to remind you of the ugly stupid mistake you made. silly but really what are you caring around with you that's just mud? Prayer can help- ask for the strength to forgive those who have wronged you. Abandon feelings of anger, bitterness, or revenge. Instead seek out the sunshine- look for the good in others rather than focusing on their faults and magnifying their weakness. Allow God to be the judge of others' harmful scions. It may be difficult to let go of hurt feelings, but you can do it with the Lord's help. You will find that forgiveness can heal terrible wounds, replacing the poison of contention and hatred with the peace and love that only God can give. One of the greatest tools I have found is to seek gratitude for the experience or the person that forgiveness needs to be applied to- like a healing balm that needs to go on before the band-aid. I found this poem that to me is a great example of the process of forgiving and moving on.

Moving On

1.

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I am lost...I am helpless... It isn't my fault.

It takes forever to find a way out.

2.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don't see it.

I fall in again.

I can't believe I am in the same place again, but it isn't my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

3.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I still fall in... it's a habit.

My eyes are open... I know where I am... It is my fault.

I get out immediately.

4.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

5.

I walk down another street.

                                                -Portia Nelson

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt lovethy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you..." Matthew 5:43-44