A week off – and I am now getting back to #9 & 10 to the list. Well, even though prayer and worship and God-centered focus are to be daily practices, I am so glad one of the goals wasn’t write every day – though, maybe it should be in my case at least.
Persistence can be a noble character, but it can be a bit annoying and draining. Now, back to #9 …
Today is a very serious subject (not that the others weren’t) … but as a pastor, I see this way too often in people’s lives. They are in their own self-imposed bondage by their lack of forgiveness. They hold on to anger, they keep grudges, and they play the wounded victim. To be fair, I probably should say we, not they, for I too have done these things.
This is way to much topic to discuss in one setting, but it is that important to at least begin.
My personal approach is to remember how much we’ve been forgiven. We don’t deserve it, never could earn it, and can’t buy it. But for some reason, an undeserved reason, God loves us and provides forgiveness.
And because He forgives us, we are called to forgive others as well. And when we do, we walk in freedom.
9. Resolve to forgive and walk in freedom
A spiritual reset often requires releasing what we’ve been holding onto. Unforgiveness quietly weighs down our hearts, affecting our peace, our prayers, and our intimacy with God. But forgiveness is one of the most powerful ways we experience freedom, not because what happened didn’t matter, but because God’s healing matters more.
Practice:Ask God to bring to mind anyone you need to forgive, including yourself. Offer their name to God and choose to release the offense into his hands. Forgiveness is often a process, but each act of surrender opens your heart to God’s restoring grace.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” —4:32
ONE FINAL RESOURCE …
Adrian Roger’s legacy includes a great two part sermon on the Freedom of Frogiveness. If this topic hits home and you need more, check these out …
Muddy Shoes by Todd 
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