Unexpected Blessings of Forgiveness
I had been struggling to forgive someone at work. Struggling is an understatement. The Lord had graciously pointed out how it had seeped in to destroy all aspects of my relationship with this person. Everything she said to me I filtered through my anger, frustration, and distrust from an experience with her from the year before. This was neither healthy nor useful for my employment. But alone, I was helpless to escape the taskmaster of unforgiveness.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15, ESV)
God’s Word must be followed, not just because God bought us at the price of Christ’s blood. But also, because we know He has our best interest at heart and we must follow every single one of His commands and principles for life to receive the unexpected blessings that He desires to pour out on us. Blessings that can only come from obedience.
The command to forgive must be answered with a yes.
Matthew 6:14-15 gives us a clear statement of our obvious rewards to forgive. But in my experience, the Lord always gives us above and beyond what we would ever think to ask. So for the love of my Father and because of the deep knowledge of Him and His faithfulness. I said yes to forgiving her.
The thing I needed to forgive her for was regarding one of my children so it was a deeper wounding than if it was just an occurrence against myself. Because of this, I knew I would need a heavier application of His grace to this person.
When I went to Him in prayer, this is what I saw.
I saw multiple rods standing tall against the wind. Then the rods splintered downward and made horizontal ledges. One on each side of the rod. These splintered planks could be used to sit down on and rest, keeping your vision horizontal. Judging your life at the level you are currently at, or you can bring these rods representing your individual thoughts under the alignment of His Word and use them to climb up higher. Bringing your thoughts closer to agreeing with the mind of Christ.
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When you encounter a negative or counter to the Word thought, you have two choices. You can sit down and refuse to take your thoughts captive and let them run wild. Or you can take the thought captive and learn to submit your mind to His teaching.
One of the mysteries He revealed is how one forgiveness unlocks others.
It’s like one click of a tumbler inside a complex lock. We don’t realize that when we release that person in forgiveness we may very well be called to fight alongside them on a glorious mission for the Kingdom.
It’s also like a treasure hunt when one thing is forgiven, other people and situations reap the forgiveness as well because we easily recognize if this person/event can be forgiven we can also forgive… Leading to the next unexpected blessings.
He helped me to question and consider that the fullness of the consequences of obedience is never fully initially realized. It takes time for the rewards to manifest abundantly. Also, one obedience interacts with another to create different thought pathways in our minds. New possibilities that weren’t there before and therefore we had no way of anticipating or asking for.
Prayer for you and me: Lord, how can we forgive without Your power and might? Grant us Your Holy Spirit’s grace and love to be able to do the impossible, and forgive the unforgivable. We know You are faithful and that when we let go of the ugly things like unforgiveness, anger, and strife You will give us something beautiful with unexpected blessings. We can start rejoicing now for what our amazing Father will bless us with. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
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