Once you live in forgiveness there is no going back; only forward. Forgiving people know what it takes to get there and as such; refuse to accept anything that would be a hindrance to progress.
1.Forgiving people refuse to be distracted. The ability to progress forward in life is easier when there are less distractions. Unforgiveness is a distraction to everything; it is one of life’s biggest impediments and it brings its cousins of bitterness and resentment and all the second cousins of ungrateful, negative attitude and all the others. Forgiving people are more focused on the Lord’s plan for their lives than the distractions that disobedience brings.
2. Forgiving people refuse to take on others issues. When you live in unforgiveness it’s easy to get caught up drama and trauma; because that is really what unforgiveness is. It creates a level of emotional mess and unstableness and when other’s are allowed to share their stories and drama; it’s hard to say no. It’s also hard to bring a solution to a situation of forgiveness for someone else if you haven’t had the experience. Forgiving people are solution in Christ minded and don’t have time or tolerance for what others will bring and leave on them.
3- Forgiving people refuse to allow their joy and peace to be stolen. When you have peace and joy you will know it; and there won’t be anything that you will allow to enter in to steal it. You protect it like a bear cub as it’s that vital to your overall health and well-being. Unforgiveness is not only a distraction but a joy and life stealer and forgiving people have lived on both sides of the fence and can testify that forgiveness brings joy and it’s worth keeping.
4- Forgiving people refuse to be limited by others and circumstances.Unforgiveness is limiting. Period. It stunts everything in your life from your relationship with your Lord, your blessings; and your purpose. Forgiving people are not bound by circumstances because they know and trust; and have experienced that God is their side and that with Him all things are possible. What happened is what happened and while forgiveness is a process; it is one that a forgiving person is not defined by. There is no limit to the good that will come into your life when you forgive.
5- Forgiving refuse to be disobedient again by being unforgiving. The Bible is clear that forgiveness is a command. Unforgiveness is rebellion and when this revelation is received and forgiveness is understood there is life change. Going back to the ways of old is like trying to put new wine in old wine skin. It won’t and can’t work. Forgivers know what the new relationship with Christ is like; and the depth and growth and expansion of it in ways that unforgivers cannot begin to imagine. Forgivers will not go back to an old way of life simply because it doesn’t produce life; it steals it.
6. Forgiving people refuse to be controlled by others. Forgiveness is freedom and unforgiveness is bondage. Those that choose forgiveness are free from the binds that tie and the control that unforgiveness breeds. When people live in unforgiveness they are allowing situations and people to have more control over their lives than they should. When forgiveness is the lifestlyle there is no need for others to have any control and quite frankly they can’t. You are free and they are free to be in bondage or forgive; although your main concern simply is forgiving and moving on with life.
7- Forgiving people refuse to be a victim. Life happens and terrible things occur. I can testify to that without a doubt but here’s the thing. Forgiving people overcome and actually have a testimony. Unforgivers on the other hand; have no story other than what happened to them. And how many people care to hear what someone did to someone when they could hear how they overcame? You see; you have a choice: you can be a victim or victor but not both at the same time. Forgivers know this and live by it. They are overcomers.
Being a forgiver and living a life of forgiveness requires walking in love. Period. There is no way around this and when you get to this place it brings peace; joy and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22. Without forgiveness no one can walk in any of the fruit because they are opposite. If you want to go forward toward the real life that God intended all along for you then forgive. You won’t regret it!
For more about forgiveness watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
To have Julie speak at your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
Before I understood forgiveness I was probably like you; heard to do it and went about life. It was something to give some thought to after a nice sermon by the preacher but that one thing that was never really important enough to actually get put on the ‘to do’ list. As such I never knew that forgiveness is deliverance; and that forgiveness really is your deliverance too.
What many experience in their walk with the Lord are some blessings and a breakthrough here and there; and they are ok with it. Others may take it personal and begin to blame God. “Why isn’t God blessing me with this or that” the proverbial question is. It continues on all the while the same people are blaming the devil and go on the attack on every little thing which sounds super spiritual; although it still is not getting to the point of problem. Breakthrough still is not occurring and it can’t until other choices are made. More often than not you are your problem and hindrance; not the devil and most certainly not the Lord!
When you get to the place of realizing that blaming God or the devil for what you are choosing to not do your life will change. Period. So blaming God isn’t going to solve the problem. He didn’t choose unforgiveness for you- you did. Heck it was Him who choose His Son to die on your behalf! Blaming the devil is laughable because he’s sitting over there laughing at how ignorant you are because you are choosing to rebel against God by being unforgiving; so he wins. All the while you hate and doubt God for your problems he’s just kicking back with his stupid cronies have a good ol time. He doesn’t even have to do anything! He gets you to and then you live in it- and don’t even see it. It’s really time to see it, start moving those mountains and living above and not below because God certainly did not allow His Son to die on that cross to that Christians today can live poor and miserable believing that that is God’s best. That is not so stop wearing misery like a badge of honor.
Psalm 18:21-24 is pretty clear: “For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.”(KJV)
Living in unforgiveness is a choice just as much as living in forgiveness is; the only difference is that unforgiveness is against God. It is rebellion to His Word, His ways; and ultimately His plan for your life. His Word commands forgiveness. There is no way to reroute this and whether you agree or not does not change the Word nor does it change the consequences of disobedience to it. When this revelation is received; your life will change.
Deliverance will come through forgiveness. It is different for every person but rest assured; you will never be the same in Jesus name when you forgive. Never! You cannot be. When you forgive you are relinquishing all of it to the Lord so that He can work through you, in you, for you; and all for His glory and Kingdom. On the other hand; your unforgiveness will only keep you in bongage and that of being a victim, never growing in the Lord or as a person; and your life won’t ever be filled with the peace and abundance that comes with a life lived in Him. As such you will simply be used as a tool for the enemy and really what a waste of life. Don’t lose years like I did being used like that. Move the mountain and start living for Him who deserves it.
Many people pray for deliverance. I get requests all the time from people saying the same thing: “I just want Him to deliver me” and guess what? He will- when ‘you’ apply His Word! Remember it is God who will arm you with strength and make your way perfect; if only you let Him.
For more about freedom in Christ watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
To have Julie speak at your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
Forgiving is not easy; there is no doubt. The good news is that it is possible! How do we know? Because God’s Word gives us everything we need in order to forgive. As a result there are some steps that you too can take to live your life in forgiveness.
1- Choose to live in forgiveness. While it may sound overly simple; the choice to forgive is one that most don’t think about. They by default live in ‘unforgiveness’. Living in forgiveness is a lifestyle lived on purpose. I never knew that; nor did I know that by default my unforgiveness was a choice. When you choose forgiveness you are choosing life and following in Deuteronomy where it tells us to choose life so that ‘you and your children’ may live.
2- Believe that with Jesus all things are possible. You can forgive and you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength so it reads in Philippians 4:13. So what this means is that not only can you do it; you have someone with you every step of the way. I didn’t recognize that either until I was faced with going before the Lord and actually dealing with it. It was decades of pain and the past that was bottled up ready to be overcome and with Jesus the way was made; and it will be for you too.
3-Remember you are no different than those who hurt you. This is hard to accept at times; especially when people do the unthinkable. It’s hard to not look at what they have done and hold it against them. It’s hard to not judge or be critical; or resent them. I’m not going to lie about this at all! It doesn’t matter if it is cheating, stealing, lying; murder or anything else. Hurt caused by others still hurts. While those things may not be the things that you have done or would do; if you look carefully at yourself are there things that you too have done that aren’t the nicest representation of who you are? Probably right? Now we all say reflect and think ‘yeah well I haven’t done ‘that’ but so what? It doesn’t change the fact that we are all fall short and the moment you compare what you haven’t done to what someone else has; that is the moment vanity and judgment creep in to your heart. When you forgive you are cleaning your heart toward the Lord and allowing Him to take that burden so you don’t have to carry it.
4- Accept and know it is a process. The process of forgiveness is one that takes as much time as it needs. Many believe that simply moving away from the situation is forgiveness; although that won’t work because you are still are who you are- just live may live by the beach. Others say that time heals wounds which is not true either because if it were; there would not so many people up in age that are angry, bitter, resentful and ugly about what did or didn’t occur or what they didn’t get that they should have in the past. The process of forgiveness is one that takes as much as it requires because each person is different, has different hurts; and has a different relationship with Jesus. If someone is pressuring you to just forgive already; know there is a reason and it probably has more to do with them than you. Just go forward with Jesus and know that it is something you need to do and do it at the pace that is in accordance with your walk with Him.
5- Be Quick to Forgive. Being quick to forgive can literally save your life. We all know things in life come at us and some are not what we want at all. What happens though is if you allow all of those things to stay; they will. And the enemy would love nothing more than for you to be angry, sad, resentful, bitter, unforgiving; ungrateful, self-centered and all the other 35 symptoms of unforgiveness. Every act of not forgiving is really an open doorway for the enemy to reside and continue to wreck your life. Don’t think he won’t! He will and every chance he gets he does so; and it’s even in more sly ways than you can think. Being quick to forgive keeps you on the offense and right with Jesus so that you can live your life in peace while advancing His Kingdom.
Forgiveness is not for the faint at heart. It is for those who want to live their Christian life in obedience and more depth in their relationship with Jesus; and more out of life itself. Forgiveness is and should be the standard of life for Christians as it reveals a level of obedience, love for others; and what is in their hearts. Living in Forgiveness will not only change what you see; but how you see and how you live. And it’s time now to start living in forgiveness.
For more about forgiveness and the full life in Christ watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
To have Julie speak at your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
You’ve probably heard it all; forgive. Forgive and forget. Forgive or you will go to hell; and on it goes. Sure we all know it. Forgive. Yes. We know. I’ve shared in the past what happens when you forgive; and let’s investigate what happens when you don’t forgive. Looking back to my life before I forgave I can testify much about the journey to help you move along.
When you don’t forgive:
1- You stunt your growth. Forgiveness is for those who wish to not only grow in Christ but within. When you choose to not forgive you are really just stunting your growth in every area of your life. Your relationships can’t grow, your relationship with Jesus stops; and you as a person can’t grow. There is no fruit bearing when you live in unforgiveness; just wiltedness overflowing to its slow miserable death.
2- You miss opportunities. God has a beautiful plan and purpose for your life and yet through unforgiveness you just end it all. There cannot be the opportunities that God intends because of your chosen disobedience to forgive. When you forgive who you are changes which means an expansion of territory and blessing; and in ways you can’t imagine. The choice to not forgive is simply denying anything good from coming your way. And what sense does that make?
3- Your health deteriorates. Unforgiveness eats your soul; and destroys the body. Related to unforgiveness is bitterness and it is spiritual poison that rots the bones. In the Story of Hannah she wanted a child yet was bitter. After she released her bitterness she became pregnant. Now this would make sense because how could someone with brittle bones carry a baby to term? Unforgiveness is also linked to arthritis according to a study by Harvard; although the Bible doesn’t really need Harvard’s proof but for those that like science; unforgiveness and the body being destroyed by it do go hand in hand. Other health issues related to unforgiveness are heart conditions, hypertension and others. For me personally when I forgave my eye color and my voice changed. It just testifies that if you live in the dark you will look like it!
4- Your level of self-absorbness and victim mentality increases. If you are alive you are probably a victim of something somewhere in life; just as much as you probably caused pain to another at some point. And? When you choose to live in unforgiveness you are only breeding your victim mentality that really everyone that is still around you wishes you would get over; they just don’t know how to tell you. So do yourself and everyone else a favor and forgive. It will help you get over yourself to see that Jesus already paid the price so you can quit making everyone else pay the price of just being around you. When I forgave my mother no longer was I focused on all the terrible things that happened because of her. My heart changed and it wasn’t any longer about what happened to me but what Christ did that set me free! You too will be able to see; and you will see that everyone else can be a victim too but that you will get further being a victor!
5- God can’t use you for what He initially intended. I knew God had a plan for me and I knew there was a call on my life from an early age; I just didn’t know I was the one in the way. Go figure! It was after I forgave that real opportunities came forward. Sure I had done plenty in my former ways and life although when God opens opportunities it’s entirely different. How else do you think I was able to be on The Today Show sharing the testimony of forgiveness in Christ? That wasn’t me! That was all Him and He wants to do big things in your life you just need to lay down the unforgiveness so He can move and you can groove; in Him!
6- You separate yourself from God. Unforgiveness is rebellion to God’s Word; period. It’s your choice to forgive and your choice to not forgive so pick one. Know that His Word tells us in Deuteronomy to forgive so that ‘you and your children may live’ so that’s something to think about. I didn’t know how far from God I really was. I played church and that that going every Sunday meant something; and boy was I shocked to learn how much of a pretender I was. Perhaps that is you. If you want to get closer to the Lord then ask Him to identify the areas of unforgiveness you need to deal with. Don’t rely on your own wisdom; since it’s probably the same amount that got you where you are in the first place. If you want to get closer to God then forgive. If not; then live in your mess but don’t blame Him! You were warned!
7- You die sooner. There is no way around this. You don’t forgive you die sooner than God intended. Not only that; you will die sooner in ways that you wouldn’t want to. They say time heals wounds but that is rubbish; forgiveness does. If it were true that time heals wounds there wouldn’t be so many old, angry bitter people in the world; who have just been living dead for decades. How much living will you truly be doing when you aren’t living the actual life He created you for?
See; you cannot live life dead. That is not living. You will only go through the motions and probably medicate yourself along the way and again; that is not living. Jesus came to set the captives free and to bring life in abundance and there really is life in abundance- you just have to get it. It’s there waiting for you!
You have everything within you to live the life God created. There is no doubt. He didn’t miss anything because He is perfect and He loves you. There is a life waiting for you and if you simply disregard this as what I hear so often,’I don’t have any forgiveness issues. There is just one person I can’t wait to see die’ or ‘I don’t have to forgive’ well then pray that God increases your self-awareness. You can be filled with wisdom and yet still self-unaware. King Solomon proved that! Don’t be so deceived to think that there is nothing you don’t have hidden in those places that can only be identified by the Holy Spirit; because that’s what I did. I truly didn’t believe I had any unforgiveness yet I actually displayed almost all 40 of the symptoms. So don’t do what I did. Take this to heart and be free so that your future that is waiting will come quicker than the journey from your past.
For more about forgiveness and walking out your purpose watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
To have Julie speak at your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
When you think of how long you may have suffered from something without knowing what it was how long would you say? The woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9 is a testimony on many great levels with much to learn from. Forgiveness is one such area where this testimony may shed light to your own personal journey with the Lord.
This woman’s issue; which by the way her name is never mentioned. This is curious although if you knew her name would it matter because she probably would still be identified by her issue and not her name but I digress. Her suffering was 12 years in the making before she reached Jesus. An issue of blood for a woman during her days would be much different than for women today. We may think of such an issue today as endometriosis or something related. Her condition was such that kept her ailing for many years; much like those who walk in unforgiveness.
What is most fascinating about the testimony is her perseverance for healing; for answers.So picture Jesus healing other people and being the great I AM and mobbed by people everywhere and then as it is written in scripture ‘suddenly’ He is touched by a woman. Now for her it probably was not ‘suddenly’ but rather a long, arduous, painful journey that led her to receive her ‘suddenly’ as in ‘suddenly healed’. She tried everything. What isn’t known is how many other times she tried to find Jesus or of this is the first; although what is clear is that when she got to Him she get her healing. It is written in the King James Matthew 9:21 ,’ For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.’ What must be made clear are several things:
1- She knew what she must do in order to be made whole- which was get to Jesus.
2- She wasn’t whole because if she were she wouldn’t have needed to get to Him at all.
3- She learned that obviously through 12 years of searching she needed something more than what she had been given or found.
4- Man in all his infinite wisdom still does not have the answers.
5- There is no wholeness or restoration to the full without the touch of Jesus.
When we relate this to forgiveness; there is no fullness of forgiveness without Jesus. Sure people daily can say some words that sound great; but that’s lipsmack. That doesn’t mean anything. When there is forgiveness there is a healing that takes place; a wholeness. There is a complete transformation within! One cannot simply transform their own selves in their own thinking that caused them the problems in the first place. It is not possible. If it were; then most people would not be in the situations they are in in the first place. Nothing that any of us do without Jesus can bring wholeness. Nothing!
This woman is proof of this! She is proof of what occurs when simply touching the hem of His garment. His garment! She is proof of what happens when we get to the end of ourselves and our quests for something that can only be done through and by Him. Your personal level of forgiveness is equally the same. You may try and try in all your might; yet your attempt is futile because without Him you will tire yourself and still be in need of something more. With Jesus; everything comes with Him.
As the testimony continues Jesus knew the power moved from Him as He felt it. It was that strong! “But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” (v22) What we can learn from this is that is was her faith that made the way. Her faith!
You see; many people who harbor unforgiveness also lack faith but not in the way most think. Sure they may have faith that that their favorite team will win the championship; but they don’t have the measure of faith to believe that through Jesus they can forgive; that they can trust Him to heal their pains and that He really is on their side. They don’t have the faith to believe that when they give the burdens to Jesus He will carry the load. And so on the cycle of misery goes; along with more medications and anger management classes. Year after year.
I didn’t know the depth of forgiveness until I was faced with it. I had faith in the Lord for many things but when it came to forgiveness; it was being vulnerable in the most vulnerable way possible. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do because it meant I had to trust that Jesus would be there; that He would bring justice to me and for me. And He did; but I had to step; like the woman with the issue of blood.
Reflect on her for a moment. How vulnerable do you think she had to be to even get herself to a place where Jesus was? People everywhere and if she were found out then what? How embarrassing right? To be caught with such an issue would be humuliating to say the least! And yet she sought. She had faith that if she got there her life would be changed. And we read again ‘”But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” (v22)
It’s so simple that we complicate it. All we need to is take the step. There is no reason for anyone to suffer unnecessarily; not even you. When you get to that place of being sick and tired of being sick and tired go to Jesus. Reach out and touch Him and you will feel His Presence. You will feel the healing that comes in that instant like it did for the woman with the issue of blood. You will be made whole; restored. You can’t not be. He is the Redeemer. He is the Healer. He is the Almighty! He is also there waiting just for you.
Watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
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One of the things about unforgiveness is how it’s tied to finances. If you are believing God for a financial breakthrough and it hasn’t yet happened; there is a reason. And it isn’t because you don’t work hard or enough. There is always a reason and most don’t recognize the element of forgiveness. Most people don’t get this. They simply blame God will increasing their level of bitterness and resentment and refusal to forgive. Oh how the cycle continues.
God’s Word is clear and no it doesn’t change because we may not like it. It’s us that must change and in His Word there are a few requirements in order to receive His blessings. Obedience to His Word is one such way and well; forgiveness is a command- something to obey.
In Matthew 6:14-15 it tells us, ‘For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.’ (NIV)
So- if you are not forgiving God won’t forgive you. Period. So that peace you want, that joy that’s been lost; that breakthrough in your finances. Yeah it won’t come. It can’t. There are no rewards for disobedience; regardless of what the world tells you. If you treat others with unforgiveness how would you treat the finances that God would bless you with?
Now the other caveat to this is that it isn’t about just forgiving and forgetting. There is a step further and one that many miss. They spend their time ‘forgiving’ others and sure that is required except Acts 3:19 gives is more that must be taken into consideration. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,…”(NIV) Most people who have to forgive also need to repent because more often than not there is the harboring of unforgiveness which is a sin against God, there is bitterness, resentment; and all the other cousins. With all this turmoil operating how could God bring storehouses of financial blessings your way?
You see; God has plans for you there is no doubt. His Word is clear. The financial breakthrough will be able to enter when there is obedience. When I forgave my mother for all she had done to me I was also freed financially; and also in my faith. Before forgiving my ideas and thoughts toward money were distorted. It would have been a total set up by God to financially bless me before I fully forgave because if the order came from God for me to give to my mother- I never would have. Seriously I would not have. I hated her and who wants to give to people they hate? If you are going through a divorce and you haven’t yet forgiven and God tells you to give your spouse 70% and not 50% would you? Or would just resent every minute of it? Would you actually do it? Or would you just justify all the reasons why the other person is not worth it? Would you then have your list of all the stuff you have done good and that it all should be yours? Yep- now do you see the pickle you put yourself in? I had to be healed of all of that because my mother has great needs and I didn’t want to give once cent to her; and now that my heart and life have been healed and restored being a giver to her is now part of who I am. It is you too you just may need to get there.
God can’t bring to you all that He wants if you don’t let Him. If you want breakthrough in any capacity it will require you taking the step toward Him as He is waiting; just waiting to give you everything- and yes including a financial blessing. But if God can’t trust you and you choose to not trust Him then you are at a stale mate. No one wins. There is no breakthrough but only breakdown. Breakdown in your life and state of it; along with in some ways breakdown in impact for God’s Kingdom.
He didn’t intend for you to be poor and pride yourself on it like many Christians do. They wear it like it’s an honor and then live so selfishly in fear because if they were to give they won’t have- yet in actuality they will have more! But it starts with being obedient in repenting for harboring unforgiveness, asking for forgiveness and then walking and living in it. As you experience breakthrough; your finances and everything else will break through too.
For more about forgiveness watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
It’s incredible to live in a country with people who suffer from emotional and mental conditions at alarming rates. More people than ever before are being treated for numerous disorders at alarming rates. It’s estimated that 90% of suicides are by those who suffered. The emotional state of people is out of control. Issues of anger, rage, mental torment, thoughts of suicide, bitterness, resentment; shall I go on? These such issues cause problems. And- they cause problems that medication simply cannot heal. The good news is that emotional issues and problems can be healed simply through forgiveness.
You see; in the Bible you may notice something of interest; God never reacted. Jesus didn’t either. Neither of them were living in outbursts of rage, hostility toward people; yet one could argue they would have good reason right? And yet they were stable; in all things regardless of what surrounded them. And this is where we must get to. Peace in living in all things.
We must get to a place of not allowing ourselves to live in such states of disarray. We cannot be duped any longer by living by our emotions because in the long run it only leads to death. How could it possibly lead to anything other than that?
If you are being led by your emotions you are probably living on a roller coaster ride; hating Trump or hating the protesters all the while the media fuels the fire that is burning you. Let it be clear on both sides of the political fence are bitterness, hatred, hostility and unforgiveness. There is no way to change the past although there is a way to be free from it. And that is through forgiveness. You may be living in the torment of what your parents have done to you or what your spouse may have done; or that you weren’t good enough for the NFL or wasn’t quite the Cowboys cheerleader and all the things that come with the areas of life. Maybe you were passed over for the promotion that should have been yours; except your anger got the better of you and others saw it. It ruined your chances. It’s time to grasp the reality that going forward requires forgiveness more than a cover up.
You see; medication isn’t a cure all. No amount of pharmaceutical drugs will truly reach your heart; your soul for life change. (and I am not saying stop taking your medication) No they just cover them up and when you can’t afford them anymore you will still be what you are. So what is that that you really are? I ask you on this day- what really are you? And who do you want to be? The peaceful, stable, loving person who cares for others and wants to see the good in people? What is keeping you from getting there? Nothing that you can’t handle.
When you see that today’s society is fully in play on your emotions things will change. The goal is to steal you from being able to think, to spend your money properly; to love and to forgive others and yourself. It’s really that simple. So long as you are trapped into being the wretched ignorant crazy person living paycheck to paycheck with no disposable income then you are right where they want you. The eye catching ads of everything to manipulate you into thinking that you actually need that and that your life will be better. No it wont. The manipulated video clips the media plays repeatedly to program your thinking will not free you. Anything that you allow to cause your emotions to be stirred is not of God. Remember Jesus was not reactionary in anything and look at what He endured. If you claim to be His follower then don’t be surprised the attacks would come to you too.
I didn’t know just how out of control my emotions were when I lived in unforgiveness. I didn’t know I was angry. I had no clue. I was hurt and that hurt was released in a variety of ways. Many I had no clue about. And you probably don’t either. You may excuse by saying ‘Oh I’m Italian’ or something like ‘Oh that Irish temper’ when in fact that is not true at all! There are plenty of calm Italians and Irish; so if you are not then why not?
The Bible commands ‘Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.’ (Psalm 37:8) It continues also to read in Hebrews, ‘See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.’ (12:15 NIV) There is always something for us to do in order to achieve all that God has in store. It does require us to be like His Son Jesus. And in doing so it is not being deceived, led by our emotions; and carrying on like crazy people or zombies.
As you make the choice to forgive your life will change. What I can tell you personally is that my eye color changed, my voice changed and my thoughts of my mother changed. I hated her for many years and now I love her like Jesus does. She is a child of God and for me to have fury toward her simply is not of God. It was a process although a process of release of the emotional turmoil and torment that I lived in for many years.
What I also can tell you is that most have no clue the depths of how to handle it. It’s not their fault though. The professionals are not trained in overcoming emotional issues through forgiveness and I didn’t know that either; because I didn’t know unforgiveness was my issue. And so if you want healing to the full it will require a way that once was conventional that now is considered extreme; yeah the Bible. Go figure that what works is demonized but these are the days and times we are in.
When you go before the Lord to deal with your forgiveness ask Him to heal your emotions, to remove the pain, the torment, the bitterness, the resentment, the rage, the hurt, the hostility, the indignation, the tears and then ask Him to fill you with His Holy Truth. Ask Him to remove the emotional flow of all those things to you and you will feel release. You will feel the chains drop. You will feel the flow of all things not of God. You will feel above all the healing and the presence of God Himself. And through that one act of obedience your life will forever be changed. And then when you are through with that; ask Him to bless those who have hurt you; and again your life will change through that one act of obedience. The best part; no pills, no copay. Nothing but you and God.
To bring Julie to your church or business to speak visit www.julieblair.com
For more about forgiveness and walking with Jesus watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
Forgiveness isn’t easy. In fact it is one of the toughest challenges people face; along with overcoming fears of public speaking. Self-sabotage comes in when people do not recognize that forgiveness will open the pathway to life.The best way to overcome self-sabotage is to forgive.
When you choose to live in unforgiveness you are only hurting yourself. Period. You are hindering everything in your life. Nothing can grow through concrete and when you are unforgiving that is as hard as you are. And concrete takes a jackhammer to break. As such; your life will be as grey as the concrete. If only I knew this sooner.
What I didn’t know was holding me back. I heard all the sermons to ‘forgive’ and bla bla bla which were nicely stated but beyond that so what? I didn’t know what I was blocking in my life, how I was actually sabotaging my life. I had no clue! And perhaps you are me where you have heard it all a thousand or a million times to forgive and sure sure ‘I know I need to’ and then another year goes by. Well; don’t be like me. Don’t sabotage your life and future. Forgive. And what does that mean exactly? You may too be wondering how you are sabotaging your life by not forgiving so let me clearly spell it out for you:
1)Your unforgiveness hurts you most. Matthew 15:18 is clear: ‘But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.’ Hurt people hurt people and it is out of pain that unforgiveness operates. But get this: it’s a downward spiral. Your hurt keeps you hurting and while others can see it; they can’t free you. There is nothing that anyone else can do for you except tell you the obvious- forgive. When you don’t you are allowing the sin and pain caused by others (and yourself) to be what you live in. The bitterness, resentment, anger, broken relationships, strife, impatience and more are all what hurt those who don’t forgive. People not living in that aren’t hurt. So if you want healing forgive.
2) Your unforgiveness hinders you the most. God has a plan for your life. Period. Whether you agree or not doesn’t change the Truth from being true. There is a plan and when you choose to not forgive you are hindering that plan. You see; unforgiveness is one of the biggest hindrances to forward progress than you will ever enounter. There is nothing greater because that hindrance of unforgiveness keeps you living less than. It keeps you from your spiritual gifts. It keeps you from being healthy and in healthy relationships and it keeps you from being used by God to the full capacity that He intended.
I remember a time in my life when I cried out to the Lord asking to be used; and nothing. Then of course I felt more rejected and dejected because even God didn’t want me. Now; that was tough to get over-myself that is. You see; God couldn’t do anything in me so long as I was unforgiving because everything He is using me for is based upon the very thing that was my struggle. Forgiving others!
3) Your unforgiveness halts your life. When you look at your life are you believing God for the breakthrough? Are you wanting your business to expand? Your church to grow? Your marriage to be as exciting as it was in the beginning? Stop sabotaging yourself! Forgive.
If nothing in your life is progressing the way that it should; there is a reason. There is always a reason; and more often than not it is the reason you do not yet know.
Case in point: I thought I forgave. I truly did. I said all the words that the preachers said ‘I forgive’ you and yada yada yada. I played the game and claimed it all but yet nothing was happening in my life. And I had no idea why. It was like being stuck at a red light that just never changed. And there I sat.
When the clue came in the form of a phone call and my Bible teacher bluntly telling me my unforgiveness issue I’ll be honest; I was scared. I was shocked and felt like I was going to puke. I thought I dealt with my unforgiveness. I had no idea what was left and the journey that I was going to be taking. Absolutely none. Not only this; I had no clue that I sat at that red light for years longer than I needed.
In your life; what isn’t moving at the pace that it should be? What is the breakthrough you are believing God for? It doesn’t matter what it is what matters is that you carefully inquire of the Lord about the level of self-sabotage that has entered your life unknowingly or knowingly so that you can overcome it; and the best way is through forgiveness. It is one of the best means of breakthrough without needles or terrible side effects.
For more about forgiveness and wholeness in Christ watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
Look around; times are changing. People are changing; the world is changing. No longer are the things that once were reality for today. Gone are the days of leaving your home or vehicle with the door unlocked. Gone are the days of most people carrying cash. Gone are the days of the votes of people counting for something. Gone are the days of people reading maps. And; gone are the days where more people went to church than left. In this day it is time to be prepared and know what your weapon of choice is. Sure you may have the Springfield .45 or the Kimber; or even that sweet AR 15 but so what? What good will it do you when you have no more ammunition? How then will you survive? You need something better, sturdier; stronger, more protective and resilient in any times. You need stronger, better, infinite in all ways. You simply need to be in relationship with Jesus Christ. And through Him; love for there is no other way.
You see; Jesus has been through it all and He came for you. For you! He came to set the captives free and the only way to be free is through Him. You may take your own path; but a good intelligent path is not the God path of wisdom. Your path may have some man-made created routes that will suffice for a time; but what about when time runs short? What then? Your relationship with Jesus will withstand the times of anything. Are you ready? Are you pursuing?
It isn’t about a ‘what if’ scenario any longer but rather a ‘how do I walk in love’ daily in Christ scenario because what if is pure extrapolation in the mind. The events are already occurring on a global scale. Russia invades, men boast; microchipping is increasing and yet the same call from Christ is still the same. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and soul; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:27) There is a reason why this is written. Plainly put- it is what will be your protection in any and all days; always.
As we examine where we are and where we are going; it is beyond time yet still time to love one another. We must. We must for ourselves, for our children and their children; and for the call of those who are called followers of Christ; or Believers; or Saints. It is through love in Christ that the entire world can and must be changed. It is time that each of us lay down our hate and pick up our Bibles. (and read them) It is time that we turn off the media’s focus and attention on segregation and separation and starting grow in love for that is where we all will see that none are any different. We all are the same; men, women; the same.
So it begs the question: what are you willing to do? What are you willing to fight for? A loaf of bread? A new i-phone? Or how about a changed heart in the name of Jesus that will move every mountain and break barriers that brings the experience of God to every person you encounter?
It begins with me and it begins with you. When the hearts of people are changed; everything else changes too. One need to look at Hitler and see the devastation of that change in heart or one can focus on Jesus and become more like Him and as a result; change the world one person at a time through love. And that will be the weapon that will last longer than any other weapon you could ever have in your artillery.
In today’s unpredictable society; one day you have it all and the next day your next elected politician steals it from you. What will you do? Trust in the failing stock market? Stock up and head to the hills? What will you do? Where will you put your trust? Your 401k? Let’s hope not! Your return is too unstable to predict and well; I’m not a betting woman when it comes to the money game. The one area of trust though is that God will provide. God’s Word never fails and while it took me years to figure it out; praise Him that I did.
I have many testimonies of the goodness of God but this one takes me back to a time when life was really interesting. I was just kicked out of a church by nasty emails calling me names when I shared that I needed some time alone with the Lord and I didn’t really know may people in Dallas. My income dropped to less than my rent after I had just moved to a larger place for my mother (who stood me up on the move) and I had no way out. I knew that sharing this with many people would only deem me crazy so that wasn’t really an option. No. This was something to be worked through with only Jesus. Perhaps you have been there.
For 10 months He carried me. I didn’t know where anything was going to come from. None. He provided in ways that only He could; and always in His ‘perfect’ time. All I was required to do was trust. And believe me the trusting was the hardest; although He never left me. He will never leave you either.
See; it’s one thing to say you trust the Lord and then use credit cards as your backup and another thing to have absolutely no means whatsoever! When you don’t have credit cards; when you have nothing but Him you will need to make a choice. And you better choose quickly- and Him.
There will never be anyone who can carry you through anything like He can and like He will. No one. And so I share this as some encouragement for you to know that in the midst of your trials He is with you. He always has been. He has loved you and will continue to do so. He will provide; so long as you let Him.
What’s your testimony? What can you share?
For more about love and forgiveness in Christ watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ Monday-Friday at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
Image belongs to Karen Holland 2009