Day 9 - A Whole Heart

Listen To The Podcast

A Whole Heart - Lynae Petersheim

Peanut butter and jelly. Batman and Robin. Salt and pepper. Coffee WITH creamer. (don’t argue that one!)

It’s hard to imagine one without the other. Would one still be complete? Whole?

Does the partnership only attain its goal with its partner?

Why do we view forgiveness as a counterpart to apologizing?

Can “I’m sorry” and “Will you forgive me?” exist alone? They should. Unlike many aspects of our lifestyle that need a healthy balance, Jesus never needed anything in response to His forgiveness. We have been diluted with an understanding of expectations prior to forgiveness. I personally think that it takes a lot of courage and humility to apologize, to admit that you were wrong. But I have to say, it takes more strength to be able to forgive. Forgiveness is complex. It seeks purpose and pure intentions. Was I truly allowing my heart to let go and move on? Or was I approaching that verbal transaction with a robotic frame of mind? Did I expect my appropriate response to solve the problem without any preconceived notions?

I’ll be the first to admit that a real Jesus-kind of forgiveness is hard to emulate. His forgiveness holds no entitlement, no selfishness, and no grudges. I think we can so quickly become fixated on an apology, rather than our own forgiveness. It’s the classic “take over give” method.

We’re happy to hear “I’m sorry” but we’re hesitant to really forgive.

BUT FORGIVENESS IS ABOUT US, NOT THEM.

We are habitants in a broken world, but we are also descendants of an almighty God. So unless we choose to overrule our emotions, and break the powers of frustration, we won’t have the capability to climb the mountains of frustration. And when we do reach the top, the peak of forgiveness, we should be dwelling on our journeys and not the other person’s wrongdoings.

Humanity will tell us that it’s always about the other person: ”They need to apologize first. They need to acknowledge their actions. They can say ‘I’m sorry’ but it’s okay to secretly not move forward”.

But here’s what that does; it encourages this “game” of taking sides. Of making sure that people know you were right and they were wrong. And even though that could very well be the truth, you’re dismissing their hurt. Because we know that hurt people, hurt people. And God knew this, which is also why He offered the opportunity to radiate supernatural grace upon each of His children.

I know that this is a difficult topic.

It’s our glaring reality with multifaceted aspects of our relationships and personalities. But we know that each challenge is important because it’s how we grow. A challenge can produce anxiety or it can produce peace. To truly embrace our forgiving hearts, we need to think about our future and shift our outlook. Moving forward will not only liberate our hurt, but it’s God’s power that aids us in destroying feelings of bitterness and resentment. You can’t let the past keep you hostage, or allow anxiety, anger, or hatred to cripple your self-worth.

God spent too much time on you, creating you for something superior.
Don’t lose sight of His goodness or His plan for your life.

When I struggle with the thought of showing forgiveness toward someone, I think of the cross.

Where God gave the greatest sacrifice of all, His only Son.

Jesus asks so little of us. Jesus forgave without expectation. Jesus demonstrated purpose through the pain. Jesus knew right from wrong and was gracious when people would doubt His truths. He gave up His life, His unconditional love, knowing that people would not love Him back. Jesus was forgiving the very people that sentenced Him to death. And as He was breathing His last breaths of life, He was forgiving us. As you continue to seek the Father’s heart in learning true forgiveness, remember the love and sacrifice of Jesus and the grace He has shown you.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

Spiritual Practice

Watch this video all the way through: Crowder - Forgiven

Let the lyrics speak to you- after watching, pray this prayer:

Lord, give me the eyes to see those who need my ‘I forgive you’. I need your Holy Spirit to lead me to help me forgive those who have wronged me. Allow the sins of others to be washed away by your blood that you shed on the cross on Calvary. Allow me to see them as your child, not as my enemy. Allow me to show the grace you have shown me.

Amen