Are You A Simmering Pot of Unforgiveness
Proverbs 17:9 NLT "Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends."
Following S.O.A.P.
S - Scripture: listed above...
O - Observation: When we have a forgiving heart, and allow that 'action' to happen, then love grows. However, the opposite is true too. If we 'dwell' on faults (past, present, or even future), then separation happens.
A - Application: For me, as soon as I feel hurt, or something happens at the hands of someone else, I need to seek the Lord and His wisdom. Perhaps even "see it" from the their side. There are always two sides to every story, yet, we (I am) are quick to jump to victim mode, and focus on "us" and our feelings in the situation. There is nothing wrong with that actually. It becomes a problem when we "dwell" on it. Relive it. Replay it with different scenarios. Focus on it so much, that we begin to change the truth in the situation. Add to it, so to speak. It then becomes distorted, and fueled by the enemy: hate, anger, jealousy, bitterness, unforgiveness... The bible tells us, that we need to forgive, not for "their" sake, but for our very own. So that we don't get rot in our bones. So that we don't have issues health wise deep inside. All of which DO have a root in bitterness and unforgiveness.
P - Prayer: Oh Heavenly Father, thank You for Your words that spell things out so clearly for us to do and follow. I come to You now Lord, in the name of Jesus, that You bring to my mind anything or anyone that I may be "dwelling" on, that I need to forgive. Show me Lord through the Holy Spirit, if I am at fault with someone or in something. Give me the courage and strength to seek forgiveness and then do whatever it is I need to do to mend the relationship. I am asking You Father, to allow love to prosper. Bind together my relationships. Help "me" to get out of the way, and allow Your Holy Spirit to work and move as freely as needed. Father, I ask that You take away the "simmering pot" inside of me, towards others, as well as towards myself. I understand, that not all relationships are outside of me and my own body/mind. Help me Father, to let go of being a victim, and listening to the bullies outside of me, as well as in my mind. Father, help me to follow Your steps to being victorious! I lift all of this up to You Father, in the name of Jesus, amen.
If you have someone that you have something you are "dwelling" on, and they are no longer around to address or confront, I have a suggestion. Write them a letter. Pour out your feelings, insecurities, hurts.... let out all of your anger, bitterness, and pain! Then, here is the hard part: take it to someone you trust, who will not judge you. Someone who IS following the Lord and His ways. It could be a counselor, a small group leader at your church, a long time friend, a family member, or even someone new in your life that has proven to be strong and steady in their relationship with the Lord. The KEY is, someone walking with Jesus on a daily basis. Why? Because you want Gods perspective, love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness - not a world view that fosters anger, vengeance, hatred, bitterness....
Once you ask them, if you can share something very deep and personal, that you need help letting go of - allow them to say "yes" or even "no" to the big task this will be. Once they are willing, then let them pray for the letter, the deep inside feelings, and then for the letting go and healing of it all. You can then have them keep it, you keep it, or even destroy it as you LET GO of everything you wrote in it. Breaking free from that bondage of hurt and pain WILL BE freeing!! However, if you have held on to this pain for a long time, you have become comfortable with it. Like people do in an abusive relationship. It becomes 'normal' - but it IS NOT NORMAL to allow this to dwell in you and breed the problems it does. Let Jesus do what He does best: be the One to walk you through the healing process of forgiveness and move on to enjoy His blessing He has for you!! You will still have a place in you that 'remembers' this deep hurt and pain. However, you will have actually closed that door, with Jesus holding the key to it now, instead of the one that caused the hurt and pain.
You are DEARLY loved!! God wants you to be free from the control, the bondage of the chains, and the sickness of the rot inside! Allow Him to come in and be the Great Physician that He is! Yes, sometimes, the recovery is difficult, painful even, but it is for good in the end! For you to be well, be blessed, and to enjoy the love He has for you! I am praying for you today! <3 <3
Following S.O.A.P.
S - Scripture: listed above...
O - Observation: When we have a forgiving heart, and allow that 'action' to happen, then love grows. However, the opposite is true too. If we 'dwell' on faults (past, present, or even future), then separation happens.
A - Application: For me, as soon as I feel hurt, or something happens at the hands of someone else, I need to seek the Lord and His wisdom. Perhaps even "see it" from the their side. There are always two sides to every story, yet, we (I am) are quick to jump to victim mode, and focus on "us" and our feelings in the situation. There is nothing wrong with that actually. It becomes a problem when we "dwell" on it. Relive it. Replay it with different scenarios. Focus on it so much, that we begin to change the truth in the situation. Add to it, so to speak. It then becomes distorted, and fueled by the enemy: hate, anger, jealousy, bitterness, unforgiveness... The bible tells us, that we need to forgive, not for "their" sake, but for our very own. So that we don't get rot in our bones. So that we don't have issues health wise deep inside. All of which DO have a root in bitterness and unforgiveness.
P - Prayer: Oh Heavenly Father, thank You for Your words that spell things out so clearly for us to do and follow. I come to You now Lord, in the name of Jesus, that You bring to my mind anything or anyone that I may be "dwelling" on, that I need to forgive. Show me Lord through the Holy Spirit, if I am at fault with someone or in something. Give me the courage and strength to seek forgiveness and then do whatever it is I need to do to mend the relationship. I am asking You Father, to allow love to prosper. Bind together my relationships. Help "me" to get out of the way, and allow Your Holy Spirit to work and move as freely as needed. Father, I ask that You take away the "simmering pot" inside of me, towards others, as well as towards myself. I understand, that not all relationships are outside of me and my own body/mind. Help me Father, to let go of being a victim, and listening to the bullies outside of me, as well as in my mind. Father, help me to follow Your steps to being victorious! I lift all of this up to You Father, in the name of Jesus, amen.
If you have someone that you have something you are "dwelling" on, and they are no longer around to address or confront, I have a suggestion. Write them a letter. Pour out your feelings, insecurities, hurts.... let out all of your anger, bitterness, and pain! Then, here is the hard part: take it to someone you trust, who will not judge you. Someone who IS following the Lord and His ways. It could be a counselor, a small group leader at your church, a long time friend, a family member, or even someone new in your life that has proven to be strong and steady in their relationship with the Lord. The KEY is, someone walking with Jesus on a daily basis. Why? Because you want Gods perspective, love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness - not a world view that fosters anger, vengeance, hatred, bitterness....
Once you ask them, if you can share something very deep and personal, that you need help letting go of - allow them to say "yes" or even "no" to the big task this will be. Once they are willing, then let them pray for the letter, the deep inside feelings, and then for the letting go and healing of it all. You can then have them keep it, you keep it, or even destroy it as you LET GO of everything you wrote in it. Breaking free from that bondage of hurt and pain WILL BE freeing!! However, if you have held on to this pain for a long time, you have become comfortable with it. Like people do in an abusive relationship. It becomes 'normal' - but it IS NOT NORMAL to allow this to dwell in you and breed the problems it does. Let Jesus do what He does best: be the One to walk you through the healing process of forgiveness and move on to enjoy His blessing He has for you!! You will still have a place in you that 'remembers' this deep hurt and pain. However, you will have actually closed that door, with Jesus holding the key to it now, instead of the one that caused the hurt and pain.
You are DEARLY loved!! God wants you to be free from the control, the bondage of the chains, and the sickness of the rot inside! Allow Him to come in and be the Great Physician that He is! Yes, sometimes, the recovery is difficult, painful even, but it is for good in the end! For you to be well, be blessed, and to enjoy the love He has for you! I am praying for you today! <3 <3
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