Free to Love

Pain is inevitable in this life. It is a broken world we live in and we will all have more than our fair share of pain that much is for certain. Take a step back and consider the bigger picture. Think of your life, your whole life, like you are 80 years old and looking back. Is what you're dealing with now even going to be remembered then? Will any of this even matter?

Perspective is so important when we face hard times. It's so easy to be consumed by the little things that are making life difficult for us in the present moment. Yet, what if I told you that tomorrow you would lose a loved one? How consumed would you be now? What really matters besides people, your relationships? Nothing. What really matters besides salvation? Nothing.

I know that you may feel hurt, betrayed, heartbroken at the moment, but still I tell you to let it go. Forgive. It's the only way. God has shown us how to forgive. He forgives you so that you may in turn, forgive others. Think of the things you've done, mistakes you've made, people you've hurt. How can you not forgive others for what's been done to you? Are you so much more important than anyone else on the planet? Is your pain so much greater?

Humans are so self-centered, so selfish, so thoughtless.. how can we not hurt one another from time to time? It's impossible not to. The important thing is to love deeply, and big and to let that love show! 

"Above all, love each other deeply, because Love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8 

"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs." Prov 10:12

Holding on to your pain just makes you bitter and robs you of the JOY God intended you to have. Hold on instead to God's faithfulness. He is the true righteous judge and He will take care of all things. He is our vindicator. We are free to love without holding back. We are free to open our hearts, to be vulnerable, to give without thought of reciprocation. We don't have to keep score of the offenses against us. We don't have to worry about revenge! We are truly F R E E ! We should love that freedom! We don't need to worry about how others treat us! God releases us from all of that. What a gift!

Thank you Father, for the gift of forgiveness, mercy and grace. I pray that I would not hold grudges but instead free myself from pain by releasing it's hold on me. Thank you for giving me such freedom as you work things out to the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose. I know you are the one in control and I praise you for that! Amen