"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassion's fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in Him." Lamentations 3:23-24
The book of Lamentations is a book of sorrow written by the prophet Jeremiah. He laments over the destruction of Jerusalem and the people. While reading Lamentations chapter 3 I am reminded that no matter what troubles we are going through, God is always there. We have all found ourselves in situations where pain and devastation is so great in our lives. But we can also be encouraged that we do not have to walk through these times alone.
As I read these verses, I was immediately reminded of an incident that recently occurred in my life. An incident that literally crushed my spirit. What made it even more heartbreaking was the fact that the attack came from a dear friend of mine. I am convinced that "The Devil made her do it," but that thought could not ease the hurt. In fact it increased it because my sister in Christ had fallen into the hands of the enemy.
Day after day, hour after hour I replayed the words over and over in my mind. It was like a tape stuck in rewind. Over and over re-playing the words of pain and lies. With each repeat, I began to struggle with my anger and desire for vengeance and with the knowledge that I needed to forgive her.
Forgiveness is not easy. Coming face to face with someone who has deeply hurt you is also not easy, but we are instructed to forgive one another.
When we forgive someone, we are erasing the wrongs that were committed and according to Dictionary.com to "cease to feel resentment." Christ is our example of Forgiveness because he paid the ultimate price for all our sins. We are instructed to forgive one another and to love them. We are not to do this just once, but seven times seventy. (Matthew 18:21-22; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27). A lack of forgiveness can lead to stress, fear and sin in our lives.
How is this type of forgiveness possible? According to Lamentation 3:22-24, God's love never fails us. In fact, His love for us is renewed daily. God is faithful and in Him we have hope. True forgiveness can only come from God. True healing can only come from God's love for us and knowing that He will not allow us to become consumed with our pain or guilt.
I do believe however, that strictly believing and trusting in God is not the only ingredient to find this complete forgiveness and healing. But we must also begin to search out and examine ourselves as well. You see, I prayed and asked God to forgive my friend. That is the easy part. But I found myself becoming angry with her and thinking negative thoughts about her. I began to be careful not to cross paths with her because I did not want to see her. Sadly, I was thankful when she did not show up to church then I would not have to face the woman who lashed out at with me with hurtful words and lies.
I wrestle within my heart as the whether or not the words, "Lord please forgive her," were genuine when I sin with my thoughts and re-play the events of that day over and over again in my mind.
"Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord; let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven."
Lamentations 3:40-41
This is where True forgiveness and healing come. The second vital ingredient to forgiving and healing. We need to search ourselves to make sure that our hearts are right in God's sight. My heart was not right. My life was not tuned into what the Lord would want me to do therefore, I am convinced that I have not truly forgiven my friend of her wrongs.
I fall before the Lord today and thank him for revealing to me my sins towards my friend. I pray that God will forgive me so that I may truly forgive her. I lift my heart and hands up to my God that I may feel the renewing of His love within me each and everyday. A love that I know will not fail me but a love that will lift me up. A love that will give me strength and hope; a love that will allow all bitterness and strife to melt away from my lips and my heart so that I may completely forgive just as Christ forgave me.
Praise God always for His loving kindness and faithfulness
