Get Past Michal

Frank Young continues his devotional from Saturday. You might call this part two. There is much to be gained by reading and applying his lesson.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

She could not wait to get married. She wanted to be a good mother and a good wife. She was excited about taken care of the home, supporting her husband and raising her children. Then the bottom fell out.

I met her when her children were grown up. She reminded me of Michal who I talked about last week. She was a bitter and angry woman. Her friends and family told me that she had been like that for years. I just had to meet her, I had to hear her story. I had to find out why she was the way she was.

She was full of pain and anger. Her husband left her for another woman years ago and she was left in raising her family alone. She was now in her retirement years, but she still carried that hurt, pain and anger after all those years. Time did not heal. She was a bitter woman full of negativity about everything including God.

Over time, I was able to build some trust with her. I always enjoyed our visits and she began to open up and also receive what I had to say.

I shared her the story of the unforgiving servant. This is what the master said to the unforgiving servant “And in his wrath, the master turned him over to the torturers (jailers) until he paid what he owed.” Matthew 18:34

I told her that she will never be free unless she was willing to forgive. And when you don’t forgive, you literally become a tortured person. The person who hurts you is walking around free and you are in a prison.

I don’t know why we can’t forgive. Maybe it is because we feel that the person who hurt us gets away with something without being punished. We want our pound of flesh that we never get.

But forgiveness is not as much about them as it is about us. When you forgive, you will always be free. Those who forgive will never be a victim

She never got there during the time that I was with her. She continued to be like Michal and was very bitter, but hopefully she got there. It doesn’t need to be so with you. What do you say?

Make it a Monumental Monday! God is good…