Psalm 37:8
"Cease
from anger; and forsake wrath; do not fret-it only causes harm."
NKJ
As longer days of warming sun return to the north the
melt begins. Drip drop, splash, crash, the sounds of spring as snow and ice
melts and drizzles or slides with a slap from the roofs. How wonderful to
envision green sprouts, still blanketed in snow, arousing from their dormant
state as the spring melt commences to water and nourish them.
Likewise when we choose to forgive others we too
undergo a type of melting and regeneration process. When we elect in our hearts
to forgive the trespasses of others against us, we lay down the desire and need
to hurt them for hurting us. The decision to forgive begins to melt the hardness
of anger and hate residing in our hearts and allows the goodness of God's love
to sprout and bloom within us again, much as the sun melts the snow and
rejuvenates the land.
Negative emotions such as destructive anger, wrath and
fretting harm us more than they hurt those who trespass against us. Such
emotions may easily freeze the power of God's love seeking to flow through us,
hardening our hearts to his will and way.
Though forgiving others can be difficult, sometimes
next to impossible, all things are possible in Christ, when we turn to him for
aid, for he is the one who lay down his life for the sin of the world, past,
present and future.
Yes, anger, wrath and fretting leads only to harm, but
forgiveness melts a hardened heart and rejuvenates the life giving power of
Christ within. Which will we choose this day?
Prayer: Lord God and Wonderful Father, thank you for
loving us enough to send your Son, Jesus Christ to suffer and die upon a lowly
cross on Calvary's hill that we might not only be forgiven but also have the
power to forgive those who trespass against us. As your people may we always
choose forgiveness over anger, wrath and fretting that the rejuvenating power
love might flow wide and far through your worldwide church, bringing healing to
the nations. In Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, B.C.
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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