“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”- Old adage
June Hunt continues her discussion of the acrostic F-O-R-G-I-V-E-N in Chapter 12 of How to Forgive.
Realize that God means what He says. Ms. Hunt states that “God’s grace is free- and enough.” But, she adds, that doesn’t mean God’s forgiveness is accepted. Jaded adults can be suspicious of something “too good to be true.” June states suffering from prolonged guilt is a sign you haven’t learned to take God at His word. June encourages you to:
“Choose to believe what God says. Thank Him for the gift of His Son, who paid for your forgiveness. Do both, even if you don’t feel forgiven.”
Give up dwelling on the past. Ms. Hunt emphatically states that yes, God’s forgiveness is too good. But it’s true! By clinging to the past and refusing to forgive yourself, you are playing God with your guilt. You are claiming the right to undo the forgiveness Christ has extended to you.
Invest time in renewing your mind. June reminds us that the only time we have is the present moment. The past we feel so guilty about is gone. The future we worry about is always out of reach. To forgive ourselves, we must be intentional in actively affirming what we know to be true about God’s grace. In Ephesians 4:22-23 St. Paul reminds us:
“Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds.”
Today’s question: How hard was it to give up dwelling on the past. What helped you change your perspective? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Your most powerful weapon”
