The Road Less Traveled: Forgiveness (Giveaway)
January 2, 2009 | Proverbs 31 Ministries, faith, feelings
If you came over today from the Proverbs 31 devotion, welcome! I hope it’s not the first time you visit, or the last. I’m always excited to make a new friend.
The other day I was talking with two friends about forgiveness. All three of us have dealt with this issue. One friend’s dad was an alcoholic. The other was sexually molested as a girl.
These close friends and I have moved on from the past, leaving those memories behind to pursue life and all that God has for each of us. We are writers and speakers. We teach on healing and wholeness. We have solid marriages. Families that are close and loving. Faith that transcends the events of the past.
But as we talked, I realized that forgiveness was still an issue, just in a different way.
“It’s the small stuff that gets me,” one friend said. “I’ve forgiven my past. I can forgive the big things. But someone can do something little and it makes me angry, and I don’t want to let it go.”
My other friend concurred, sharing a story about how she lost her temper with her family just that last week.
My conversation with my friends made me think about my own life. I consider myself a forgiver. I believe that I see the best in others. I’ve let go of the past, and I know the benefits. And yet, the truth is that we all struggle with this issue at times.
For example, I was frustrated about a year ago over an offer someone made on our house. We were moving closer to the university where my husband is attending school. We put our home up for sale and the market was slow. I knew the decision was a right one, but already missing our beautiful acreage where my horses run and play.
The offer made was a low-ball offer–a distress offer.
It was insulting. But the real question was: Why was I still thinking about it later that night?
Why couldn’t I just let it go? The house eventually sold at the price we asked. I had the power to say no and move on.
The thing is, it takes a lot to make me angry. At least, I say that, but if these little things make me react with rudeness or impatience or if I’m still holding on to it hours later, maybe there’s still some work to do in my heart.
Today I studied in-depth on the word “forgive”. And I found that forgiveness has four very powerful meanings:
- To let go
- To give
- To cover or find shelter
- To cancel
When I walk as a forgiver I give it up and let it go. It has no power over my life.
When I offer mercy, I rejoice that I also receive mercy from an amazing God.
I find shelter in God’s wisdom as I grow in spiritual depth and intimacy, but also find comfort and strength in Him.
And I learn to cancel debts just as I am forgiven by my Heavenly Father.
F. B. Myer once said, “The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.”
So today I ask God to take this deeper, inviting the Holy Spirit to walk with me as I become a forgiver of the little things that trip me up on my way to relevant faith. Perhaps this is something you are asking, too. Maybe we can ask for it together…
I’d love to give one of you an autographed copy of any one of my books today. Just leave a comment and I’ll choose one of you randomly. Please leave an e-mail address or some way to connect with you. I’ll choose a member on Monday. ♥
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Suz, Thanks for visiting!
I like your post here. You’ve hit the nail on the head for me today. I think it’s the disrespect that gets my back up. Our society today has become less and less personal, and people are simply indifferent and in many cases, flat out obnoxious. I struggle to find a balance between being a doormat and just taking everything that someone dishes out, or at the other end, retaliating in anger.
I still think that being assertive without being aggressive is the best way for me to respond, but it’s hard because I’m not a quick comeback person. I’m a think-about-it first person, and react later.
I also hang on to those annoyances and resentments, and I’m going to remember what you said about being a forgiver in order to take my faith to the next level. Thank you for a thought-provoking post!
August 14th, 2007 at 7:45 pmHello there. Thanks for the encouraging words today. It has been a long time since I have opened my daily encouragement for today emails.
I am glad that I did today. I feel as though I am struggling so much these days and the one thing that I have been struggling with lately is forgiving and moving on. I have been sooooo resentful this holiday season which is an unsettling thing because I love the Christmas season. It was so hard to find joy and contentment deep in my heaart….for a variety of reasons.
All of that writing to say that your piece today pointed me in the right direction. I loved the photograph of the horses in water. Thaks for your uplifting words.
Elvia.
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 amHi Elvia, Those are the horses we said goodbye to as we embraced a new chapter of our lives. My husband went back to school full-time, a new adventure.
Thanks for your honesty. I am encouraged that today His peace will be in the heart of your home and situation. I will pray with and for you. It’s so great to meet you.
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 amHello,
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:54 amI have a few sandpaper people in my office and they will use any opportunity to make a dig . Thank you for the encouragement. Often those that say or do things that are hurtful or insulting are in a poor place themselves and need our prayers. One way to get our thoughts off ourselves is to pray for the other person.
Have a wonderful new year.
I really needed this today. My Daughter-in-law and son are going through some hard times right now, and I became the target of her frustration on Christmas eve and Christmas day. At first I wanted it to be all her fault, but as I’ve thought it over, I realize that I too need to change some of my nasty habits. The hardest part has been that even though I have apologized to her many times over the past few days, she does not accept my apologies. I have been trying to move on. Every devotion I’ve read the past couple of days has been on forgiveness. I guess God is hitting me over the head!!!! And I need it!!! Thanks for your words of encouragement. Bobbi
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:55 amThanks, Fara. You are right. I don’t know if you noticed my story a few blogs down called “That’s What Friends Do”, but I had a coworker that sandpapery to the point of discouragement. It is important to consider differing perspectives. Thanks for that!
Hey Bobbi, It’s hard when you offer forgiveness and it’s not accepted, but we do it anyway because it’s healing and it’s freeing, for us if no one else. And when your DIL has a moment, she just might be able to walk into your life and receive it. But if not (if you read my story, I never had that opportunity with my dad), it allows you to live free of resentment or anger or bitterness. Forgiveness is hard. It just is, but it’s also freedom. Thanks for such an honest comment. It’s so great to meet you.
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:03 pmThanks so much for your blog today. It is what I needed to start off this new year. Sometimes I feel so defeated when I allow little things to get me so upset and find it hard to forgive. I wonder why I allow this to happen. I have been a Christian for a long time so I feel as if I should not have these feelings. God is good and always brings someone or something into our life to know that is always there to help us and make us victorious.
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 pmSuzie,
I am a “first timer” as I stumbled onto you after I read my Encouragement message for the day from Crosswalk. I thank God, who knows just what I need and when I need it…..your words and scriptures on “Forgiveness” and “That’s what a friend would do”.
I can’t wait for your new website to be back up and running.
If you have not yet selected a person at random, I would so enjoy a copy of your book, The Woman I am Becoming.
Happy New Year from Houston Texas!
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:21 pmPaulette
Dear Suzie
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:31 pmI “came over” from your devotional on Proverbs 31. Thank you so much for your words on forgiveness. What a great way to start the year off. It has me reflecting on how forgiving I am (not) even though I would like to think I am. Your words really stuck and really has started some good thinking and good focus to work on. I am so thankful for your willingness to share your life story!!! Thank you so much, I plan to make sure i read here everyday!! Love Beth
Hi Suzie,
This is the first time I have ever visited your blog or any others from the newsletter. But today’s devotional was just what I needed to read. I, too, have dealt with forgiveness in the big things in life, including sexual abuse as a child. That one I was able to get counseling for when I was a young mom, about 18 years ago.
Now, I’m sitting in my living room where my husband and I have been missionaries for the past eleven years, dealing with a new kind of abuse,and trying so hard to forgive. Now it comes from the hands of our home church that has accused us of some pretty ridiculous stuff, none of which is sinful, nor even true. Regardless of our attempts to defend ourselves, they are cutting off our support and forcing us to leave the field later this month. Our co-workers love and appreciate us and want us to stay. Our mission is 100% behind us, too.
We are committed to a life of faith, and are trusting in the Lord at this difficult time. But forgiveness is really hard right now. We’re giving up our rental home for the unknown, yet again. So often we feel like Abraham and Sarah wandering in the wilderness, following the Lord as He leads.
Thanks for your devotional and blog today. I think it has really helped me to focus on the freedom that forgiveness brings rather than trying to convince myself that it doesn’t hurt, and I pray that it will also help others to find further freedom through forgiveness.
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:32 pmDear Sevillana,
My heart goes out to you. I recently read Jerry Jenkin’s book Riven, a story of a pastor and his wife who were faithful, but how church members hurt them on their journey of faithfulness. This powerful book shares how one man’s faithfulness changed the direction and life of a man, though on the outside looking in it appeared that their work wasn’t a “success” because they didn’t have a big church or a huge following in ministry. Instead, their footsteps aligned with that of Christ, helping the poor, loving the unloveable, believing in a message of transformation in the midst of hardship.
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:38 pmThat story came to mind as I read yours. I pray today that God pours out joy and peace and encouragement, that He wraps around you in a tangible manner as you sense His applause for a job well done.
And as a girl whose life was once changed in a small church by faithful pastors and workers, may I also add to that applause. You have impacted others and your life is a blessing. You blessed me today with your honesty. I will pray for you, and I ask others who read this today to join me in praying for direction, provision, and encouragement for you and your husband.
Thank you Suzie for your very encouraging article! Thanks for the time, thought and caring that you invest in these communiations! A thought to consider… Jesus taught us that we should go to the person who has wronged us and reprove them in private. If they listen… If they did not listen… (Matt 18) This is a truth I have seldom every heard a teacher of God’s truth speak on, when teaching about what to do when someone wrongs you and you are struggling to forgive. This seems to be an area where we in the “Church” have ignored one of Jesus’ teachings, even while calling ourselve His followers. Have we in essence said, “No Lord Jesus, I’ll lean on my own understanding on this one”? Forgiveness and reconciliation is a HUGE topic, as you mentioned! Thanks again for Proverbs 31 and all the precious insights shared there! Elaine
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:39 pmThank you for you devotional. This is also true with me–it’s the little things, and I am usually holding on to grudges to those who are the closest to me. Sometimes it feels like a force that I can’t let go of–I know it is a spiritual battle.
And why is it so hard, knowing what God has forgiven me of??
God bless!
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:50 pmThank you. God has been working in my heart and revealing something that I didn’t even know was so deep until recently. Looking back now I can see how much damage it has done to me and others around me. As I read your dev. & blog, I began to feel God’s hand heavy on my heart, gently stirring in me what I have carried for so long… Touching me deep…God whispers let it go…it is hard,I have lived in the resentment,anger and bitterness too long…now I have surrendered it all…my heart has been touched by the Great Physician,I am covered by the Blood of the Lamb and I am white as snow. It took me a long time to get to this place and now it all makes sense…forgiveness starts with me…letting go…not just asking for forgiveness, but forgiving…deep. I want to be free…I AM Free! God whispers to my heart,”You are free my precious daughter!”
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:42 pmThanks again for being the avenue of God’s impecable timing.
Thank you for encouraging me to forgive the sandpaper in my life. I want to make that a priority in my life this year and always!
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:23 pmThank you as of late I had been struggling with little stuff here and there and you have reminded me I need to forgive little stuff all the time not just try to brush it off and most importantly to invite Jesus into that process for while I choose to forgive and ask Jesus to help me only He will be able to restore & soothe the hurt parts.
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:32 pmblessings to your New Year.
This is timely! I have been getting sidetracked from several problems in my life currently and forgiveness is what it needed. I’ve tried to ingore them and pretend everything is ok, but the feelings just festered there silently. I’ve forgiven the people that I need to, have turned them over to God and waiting for further direction from God in dealing with two particular problem people in my life. I already feel lighter from it.
Thanks!
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:56 pmThank you so much! Your words brought tears to my eyes. They seem to speak so effortlessly the thoughts that have been in my heart for a very long time. These thoughts needed a voice and your devotion gave them that. Thank you for allowing God to use you like that because THAT had to be of God. I would also like to join you in the prayer that you offered at the end of your piece. May it already be done in Jesus’ Name, Amen. Though I am a first time visitor to your blog, I plan for it not to be the last. I thank God that He directed me to your site today.
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:53 pmHi Suzie!
I love how Andy Stanley frames anger and forgiveness. Anger is saying, “You owe me.” I think that’s helped me so much because when I flare up and can’t let go of hurt, I ask myself what I’m holding onto so tightly, what I believe that person owes me. What thing or emotion or situation is so important that the person involved is no longer important?
With my MIL, I believed she owed me quite a lot of common courtesy, simply because I was married to her son and she was family. I expect it out of everyone, and get quite inflamed when it doesn’t happen (especially when I’m driving). It’s hard to stop and remind myself that no one owes me anything. Including what I believe is decent human behavior. It’s changed quite a bit of conflict for me. But GEEZ! It’s hard when I’m on the road.
January 2nd, 2009 at 4:09 pmWow! SO what I needed today. I came across your blog via the encouragement on crosswalk. I need to remember how necessary to lving a full, free life forgiveness is! I am in awe of our Sovereign God who loves us all enough to forgive us and to remind us in His gentle, intimate, loving way that we need to do the same!!
January 2nd, 2009 at 4:17 pmThank you for your word!
Suzie
Suzie
Thank you for this devotion today. I really needed this. I have been dealing with this issue toward my teenage daughter for the last few years. Three years ago we had to move to a different area of the same town, because the apartment owners did not renew our lease. She has held a grudge toward her father and I sense then, because she had several friends in her old school, and neighborhood.
January 2nd, 2009 at 4:55 pmShe bashes use every chance she gets to her online friends and on her blog, my space, and face book. She never talks to us about anything. She just stays in her room all the time unless she needs to eat, use the restroom, or go to church/school/a friend’s house. That I don’t mind so much because I was like that when I was her age I spent most of my time in my room. Every time we try to talk to her she says we are yelling at her, that hurts because I have always loved children and when my own daughter treats me like that it really hurts. That aside to get to my point. Right before Christmas I blew up at both my kids because of something really dumb and stupid bad I told them to pack and leave. My daughter took me seriously and called a lady from our church and went and stayed with her for three days. I know now I should not have blown up like that and have forgiven myself, my son has forgiven me but my daughter will still not talk to me and that really hurts. I have not seen her much during Winter break because she has been staying with the same lady babysitting their kids because they both work. I have talked to her and apologized but she just seems to ignore me. That my story and I am sorry if it seems like I was rambling, sometime. its had to get my thoughts on paper in a short way. Thanks again Amy
Hi! I found you through the Christian MomLogic group, of which I’m a newbie. Your post was very touching, inspirational and really hit home. Thank you. I’ll be a regular visitor – especially to read everything I’ve missed.
Blessings in 2009, Jode
January 2nd, 2009 at 5:06 pmTiming is always perfect with the Lord. Thanks for the very words I needed to hear, again. I’m just going through a divorce. My husband filed. It seems he can’t take the turmoil of a wife with Bipolar Disorder. I don’t think that is it at all. I too have a history of childhood incest issues and abandonment by my father who was the perpetrator My husband can’t take change or confrontation. I believe I have forgiven him; but I don’t understand why he still wants to continue our relationship. He invited me for dinner on New Years Eve. I was ill and had a good reason to decline. I’m trusting the Lord for lots of grace that I may be gracious. Thank you for your wisdom.
January 2nd, 2009 at 5:59 pmThanks for your blog today. How true that is, the little things are the hardest to forgive-we want to stew and make it bigger. And that is what they are-little things.
Thanks for sharing.
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:34 pmSuzie….
You are so on my case right now. This post could be meant just for me.
This last year was horrible. My whole family suffered through a terrible ministry failure. Last night, we all met as a family and went through a questionaire that hubby put together for us to reflect and to shoot for in our upcoming year.
I had to answer so many of the questions with “needing healing” type answers to the ex-church situation.
I am still so deeply wounded by what church people did to my family. I don’t hate any of them but the scars are still so tender. I hope to move on and help my teens to do the same.
I would love to win your book……I’ve been convicted to the core about getting…I need to just buy the dang thing and stop the madness!
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:10 pmLove you and your ministry!!!!!
Suzie-
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:55 pmI love reading your blogs! They hit right at home for me..Never quite writing! The gift God has given you is incredible! I’d love one of your books!
Good word on forgiveness. I have been behind on my internet viewing lately and was glad to see the email and link to the site. I really like the communion article best, though – that one spoke to me… going to church, doing the right things, they matter, but really getting into the presence of God – that’s what it’s really all about.
January 2nd, 2009 at 8:08 pmI would love to win one of your books especially; Mom I Want to Be, or Woman I am Becoming. Thanks for this opportunity.
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:45 pmThank you for the devotional and your blog writing. I struggle with the little things that appear to be huge issues. Today’s devotional and reading here has helped me get my perspective in gear. One of my goals is to read the devotionals regularly again …
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:51 pmSuzanne,
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:00 amHave you ever had one of those days where you open your eyes in the morning and the tears start… I did and I know in the deepest part of my heart where it comes from. Unforgivness.
I have prayed throughout the day asking God to show me how to let go of something I obviously thought I had. I’m grateful for your insight today, I have printed the devotion and taped it to my bathroom mirror. This is my first visit to your blog but it will not be my last. Thanks again and most importantly thanks for giving Christ your life so that He may work through you.
When I read these words from your devotional, “The practice of living a forgiving lifestyle can be an ominous task. There is incredible freedom in living a life of mercy, but it’s not something that we just find along the way,” I knew I had to go comment on your blog. While reading the other comments, I was listening to Simple Minds’ song “Sanctify Yourself.” I know – odd devotional music. Your message was so much clearer than the song’s, but part of the song rang true and agreed with yours – “you can pour back the love, sweeping down from above.” It is only as I surrender to God’s love for me that I can find the srength to forgive – even love – those who have hurt me. The song told me to “control yourself” which was also necessary. I so often want to strike out at those who hurt me. My heart ached for Wanda and Sevillana, as I’ve been there. I am currently in a loving church where my hurts are being healed. Thank you, Lord, but please grant peace and healing to Wanda and Sevillana!
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:19 amI linked over from the Proverbs 31 devotional and could easily spend hours reading your blog. I enjoyed your tulip story and it brings the forgiveness point home and how important it is to fight our flesh on the little annoyances. God calls us to love the hard to love, just like we once were to Him. God bless.
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:44 amSuzanne,
Thank you so much for your transpareny and for the much-needed reminder of this truth!
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:57 amThank you so much for your Devotions, God is using you greatly. I struggle with forgiving my mother whom left me and 3 siblings, They want to go look for her but I want nothing to do with her. Deep down inside I believed that I had forgiven her and that I had given God that problem but I found myself telling my brother and sister that I hated this woman and I don’t care to know anything about her she left when I was 4 yrs old and the little ones were 2 and 3 they don’t really remember her, but I do. I really want to forgive her but really honestly don’t care to know anything about her. Please pray for me and thanks so much for this Devotional I feel that it has openened up my heart, I want to really let God take control over this matter. Thanks so much and may Our God Keep Blessing and Using you to help so many of us.
January 3rd, 2009 at 5:02 amForgiveness is just so hard and I find that it is something I need to do but then it is like a checklist to get done and then I have to deal with it all over again. When the anger returns, or I can’t sleep, then I wonder if I did it ‘right.’ Do you know what I mean? To me, it seems unending but I konw that one day as I keep trying, God’s grace and love will wash over me and the energy and hurt will leave. As I write this I am crying, so I’m thinking that it probably won’t be today. Thanks for your thoughts and encouragement.
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:56 amThis is such an issue for me, and once I think I’ve gotten a hold of one area, it creeps up again. Even though I know I need to constantly be in the process of forgiving, sometimes I just don’t want to. In my head, it makes me feel better to dwell on it and focus on getting that person to admit they messed up. Of course, the reality is that the person usually has either 1) let the issue go and moved on, or 2) never knew there was a problem in the first place. My prayer today is that God will make me a forgiver, that I would put hurts away with His help and put them in the past….choosing to again put the hurt away if it comes back to mind again. Thank you so much for sharing your journey, Suzie.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:03 amI struggle with this area at this point in my life. I haven’t usually, but I am dealing with a situation in where I caught my husband out with another woman. I am praying that God will help me deal with this. I struggle with forgiveness and know that I have to forgive him before we can ever move forward or work on this, or if I want to even work on it. I definitely needed this inspiration and ask that I stay lifted in prayer.
January 3rd, 2009 at 4:30 pmOur God is an amazing God! I have spent the morning fighting with myself over an incident that has been unfolding for months in my life and finally escalated into a heated blow-up last night. I beat myself up over the way I reacted. I turned over in my head during a sleepless night all the things I should have said or did. I thought about how horrible I am. I became angry and bitter about the person who has inflicted harm into my family. And I have turned over and over what I should do as the next step. Then I open my email and I read this devotional. Praise God, through tears, I raise my hands to raise a mighty God. The next step is forgiveness. I cannot move forward with any step until I ask forgiveness and give forgiveness. And ask God to enter the situation. Thank you for your words and your ministry. Isn’t God amazing?
January 3rd, 2009 at 4:46 pmDear Suzie:
It is amazing to know our Helper.
Dusting and removing filths are not my job–it is exhausting.
I have tried cleaning on my own, but I stuffed them all inside the closet of my heart.
Yes, cleaning is a lifetime process–it never stops
The good news is He cleans so well and He never stops helping us.
It is a tremendous blessing to know I am “The Mom I want to Be” and “The Woman I am Becoming” in His perfect will.
Enjoy all the blessings He has for you. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Luv
January 4th, 2009 at 11:04 amYour encouging words have helped me the past few days of reading them. You see, this entire year has been so challenging for my husband and me because our eldest son is involved with who we believe to be a narcissist and incredibly good manipulator and liar. She has succeeded in poisoning our son against us and has taken the joy of our first grandchild from us also by not allowing us to be a part of either one’s life. Needless to say, I cry almost continuously and beg God to strengthen us for better days ahead. I am a new believer and feel like Satan knew exactly how to burden my heart. I won’t lie, it has been a constant struggle to deal with this indescribable pain. Sometimes I don’t know what would be worse; the death of your child or the rejection of your child. I actually feel the physical breaking of my heart. So far we are holding on but hope these days are hard to come by. Anyway, thank you so much for sending just the right message I need.
In God’s Grace,
January 4th, 2009 at 5:29 pmMarsha
Hi. Just stopped by your site from Proverbs31 and was reading through your posts. I had no idea you wrote so many books! I’ll be checking these out for sure. Saw the title of “the Mom I want to be” and will put that on the top of my reading list this year!
January 4th, 2009 at 6:01 pmGreat post, by the way. I struggle with forgiveness as we all do, I’m sure. I had an incident with a family member. It’s been almost 2 years and I still feel like it was yesterday. I can say I forgive that person but really, it’s not forgiveness if you can’t let it go; where it’s right there and rears its ugly head with just barely a mention of it. Thanks for a wonderful post.
Have a great day!
Diane
This is so true I have been able to forgive several violent episodes from someone very close to me but not the fact that he doesn’t seem to know where his clothes belong when he takes them off
January 5th, 2009 at 4:17 amThank you so much for your thoughts on forgiveness. I needed to be reminded how liberating it is to forgive, and I also needed to forgive someone even though I didn’t realize I did. I was frustrated about feeling distant from the Lord, and now I know why — unforgiveness in my heart.
Thank you for helping me to get going in the right direction again!!
January 5th, 2009 at 7:47 amYour words of forgiveness are right on! I stopped over via P31.
Forgiveness is such a minute by minute quality we need to keep in check. I struggle, my husband struggles, my friends struggle….we all do to some degree.
This part of our hearts will always be striving to become better …to evolve if you will…to be closer to our Father.
Thank you for the words of encouragement.
Always,
January 5th, 2009 at 10:59 amSara
Thank You for your devotion. I know how freeing it is to forgive. I have a hard time with the small stuff too. The Lord is always working in us.
January 5th, 2009 at 12:19 pmThis is the first Proverbs 31 devotional I opened in 2 weeks. Thank you for writing this. A very difficult 17 yr. marriage ended in divorce. I have been remarried for 1 1/2 yrs. He was so good to me when we were dating/engaged. Since the marriage, I don’t know what has happened. It seems that he does not see me but his ex who he is very bitter about. He says he has forgiven her but words and actions don’t say that. He won’t go to counseling. He says all he needs in God and the Bible. I love him and want it to work but I can’t be a doormat either. I was on an anti-depressant for several months during the first year of marriage. (I did counseling for over a year after my divorce with a Christian counselor & was ready for marriage.) How do I live 1 Corinthians 13:5 – keep no records of wrongs – but stop the emotional abuse? He says every day is a new day and we start over – that’s what the Bible says. When I try to talk about the words & actions that are hurting me, he uses this scripture & says I’m keeping a record. Thanks for listening.
January 5th, 2009 at 4:06 pm