“When you have a great and difficult task, something perhaps almost impossible, if you only work a little at a time, every day a little, suddenly the work will finish itself.”- Isak Dinesen
When June Hunt teaches on forgiveness, she often issues this directive: “If you have never ever prayed the Lord’s Prayer please raise your hand.” Ms. Hunt reports that she has yet to see a hand go up.
Specifically referencing the words “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” June asks you to consider this: Did you really mean it? Think about it.
If you really mean those words, you are asking God to forgive you just as you have forgiven those who wounded you. June observes that if you’re like everyone else, essentially your first thought is God forbid (emphasis author’s)!
When a wound is deep and the offense great, complete forgiveness can only be a process. Ms. Hunt offers seven strategies to help you win that race one step at a time. The first two strategies are discussed today.
1. Acknowledge your thoughts, then give them to God. June underscores the fact that it is impossible to never think about an emotional rock that “wounds you, steals your security, and breaks your heart.” The key to successfully dealing with such bruising boulders isn’t forgetting your thoughts, but consciously refusing to dwell on them.
2. Meditate on God’s Word and speak it aloud. Unwanted thoughts that are turned away must be replaced by something else. June states Jeremiah 23:29 is a graphic illustration of the power God’s Word has to literally destroy our rocks of resentment:
“Is not my [the Lord’s] word . . . like a hammer that breaks a rock into pieces?”
Ms. Hunt encourages you to reach for your Bible and repeatedly absorb the truths of God. She states the bottom line: “God’s Word heals our hearts!”
Today’s question: How does acknowledging that forgiveness is a great and difficult task help you begin the process? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Use your power tools”
