There are so many things that can cause our hearts to break. Injustice, hate, destruction to name only a few. As Christ followers, we always have hope and can trust that God is walking with us through painful and difficult days. Recently though, He showed me what really should break my heart.
I was wrestling with forgiveness. Not His forgiveness towards me, I know I have that (though I do not deserve it, but desperately need it). My ability to forgive when someone asks for it is not usually a problem either. The difficulty for me, is with those who have wronged me, or someone I love, and they in turn have never apologized or expressed regret or remorse over their actions. As much as I have tried to forgive and forget through the years, there is hurt and pain deep inside that never seems to heal completely. What I am wanting is closure, and ‘that prolly neva gonna happen!’ About now you might be thinking that I should ‘get over it’ or ‘let it go!’ Believe me, I have tried. Things I thought I had “let go of” years ago will bring fresh pain out of nowhere at the mention of a name or event.
All of us can relate to having someone hurt you with their words or actions. What is sometimes more difficult to deal with (in my opinion) is when someone hurts a person I deeply care about…my Mama Bear instincts come out! I want justice…or at the very least repentance and apologies galore! Unfortunately, the words “I am sorry” or “please forgive me” may never be uttered from the one who did the hurting.
That morning as I sat in silence before my ever-so-patient Father, He reminded me of what should break my heart…my own sin.
Because God so graciously forgives my sins, which are many, how can I withhold forgiveness for those who have sinned against me or those I love. He began to remind me of times I have sinned against others with my words and actions. The reminders of how I have hurt others, without even realizing I was doing it, began to grieve me.
As Jesus wrote in the dirt when the Pharisees pronounced judgement on the woman they had ‘caught in sin’ and brought to Him demanding judgement…
“They kept demanding an answer, so He (Jesus) stood up again and said, ‘All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’” John 8:7
My heart began to crack open, it began to break. I wept over my guilt…my sin.
Suddenly my pain seemed so trivial compared to the price Jesus paid for my sin. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain…to receive honor and glory and power forever! My weeping turned into a Praisefest for the One who redeems me from my selfishness! He Is Worthy!
Since that morning, when I find myself feeling hurt or experiencing anger toward those who sin against me, I ask God to break my heart for my own sin.
THIS I KNOW…
Forgiveness is hard for us mere humans.
“Then Peter came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’” Matthew 18:21-22
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13
Forgiveness is available through Jesus Christ.
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15
“Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.” Acts 13:38
Father, remind me of what should break my heart the most…my own sin.
*all scripture from New Living Translation
Leave a Reply