When struggling with an issue of forgiveness it’s sometimes hard to focus on what will really help us. It’s at these times that God should be at the forefront of our mind, and there are many verses to help us in the bible. Alongside this there are other ‘tools’ that can help us to concentrate.
Music for me holds an important part in my ‘toolkit’. Recently I came across a song simply called ‘Forgiveness’ from the album God Finds Us by Jason Upton. Sometimes listening to music and focusing on the lyrics can help us to move forward and to focus on what’s important. As I listened it helped me to concentrate on the issues, and seemed to help me to separate the things I could change and the things I couldn’t change and where I needed God’s help.
The song, with several references to scripture, gives us food for thought and maybe could help focus and motivate. This song worked for me, as well as quiet reflection and prayer.
Grieving is a part of the journey
Saying goodbye to who I thought I was
Life is a mystery, full of twists and turns.
I had never considered it to be a grieving thing and a confirmation that it is a normal part of life to have the ups and downs, the rough with the smooth.
Forgiveness, is our healing medicine
Forgiveness, when we just can’t forget
Forget – Forgiveness. Sometimes we need to be reminded that the two things are different. You may not forget but you can forgive, and the issue then becomes less important in our memory.
I know it’s a gift from You.
A great reminder that issues in this world can never be as important as God in our lives, and that following Him is a gift he has given us.
We are all part of a family
The family is growing again
A reference back to grieving and a good reminder of birth as families renew themselves – one generation leaves this world and another generation begins. Families renew themselves.
You never said it was easy
Jesus never said that life would be easy, but what He promised us was that it would be worth it. A reference to Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow Gate.
A little faith can move the mountains
Anyone who has experienced the strength of prayer and God’s love can testify to this statement. God can move mountains.
We say, Father forgive them
They know not what they do
At the height of Jesus’ agony on the cross He prayed for forgiveness for His persecutors. That’s what God wants us to do. Pray for those who wrong us and to forgive them. As humans we know that this is something that is easier to say than to do. But if we are to know eternal life with God, something that we need to try to do.
So, as we approach Advent, in preparation for the birth of our Lord, have a clear out of issues, and where you need to forgive (whether that is yourself or others) get on with it.
Kathy Shaw
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