It's Time to Change Your Heart Posture
- Vernita "Neat" Simmons
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
It is 7:37 am, and I am having a conversation with God about forgiveness. Last night in Bible Study, we had an exhilarating time of fellowship discussing forgiveness. At some time in our lives, someone has offended us and left us with the choice to forgive or not to forgive. While forgiveness is easier for some than for others, when we choose not to forgive, we place ourselves in prison.
Dear One, your heart can become filled with anger, bitterness, malice, and resentment. It is like a baby lying in poop and pee; they want to be changed. They begin crying because it is an uncomfortable feeling. So, mommy cleans the baby, and the baby feels refreshed. Now, the baby is happy, cooing, smiling, and reaching out to mommy.
So, Dear One, unforgiveness is like lingering in all that mess – anger, bitterness, resentment, talking about the offense every time that door clings open. It has been 5 years, 23 years, and you won't let it go, while it contaminates your heart. It even infests your relationship with others. Most likely, when someone holds you accountable and encourages you to forgive the offender, you may get angry with them. That is because unforgiveness stinks, so you lash out, snap at others, and convince yourself you have a right to be mad.
Beloved, it is time to change your heart posture and wipe it clean by choosing to forgive. Ask God to create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10). Besides, if you do not forgive, the Lord cannot forgive you for your wrongdoings. And everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Everybody has failed to meet the standard of holiness He requires. Still, His standard is not too high for us to fulfill. (Matthew 6:15; Romans 3:23; 1 Peter 1:15-16).
Dear One, let the song, Jesus Born on This Day by Avalon touch your heart profoundly.
TIME FOR REFLECTION: How can we choose forgiveness over unforgiveness and trust God to handle the offender? Please encourage someone today by commenting below, hitting that heart, and sharing this episode.
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