Receiving Forgiveness
An ill-fated fact of life is most people will be severely hurt by a close friend or by his own self. If we are not careful, anger and bitterness can destroy a great portion of our life. I thank God for uplifting in those times when I was really down and depressed due to my wrong acts and decisions.
Some wounds cut so deep that only one thing can begin the healing process: receiving forgiveness.
Abortion is contrary to all that is sacred to womanhood and true femininity. There is nothing this side of heaven that compares to the wonder of conception, the development of life in the sanctuary of the womb, and the miracle of birth. It is a woman’s nature to give life. Abortion violates her most intimate instincts.
Several women say that the after effect of abortion is worse than that of rape. In fact, in many ways abortion is similar to rape: abortion is a brutal assault on innocent life, on a woman’s body, and on the dignity of womanhood. But in the case of abortion the victim consents to the "rape" and even pays the "rapist" for the assault. (You may conclude that the comparison is faulty because a woman consents to abortion. But don’t forget the other victims of abortion: not one unborn baby has ever consented to an abortion.)
Something sacred, something precious, is taken from a woman in both rape and abortion. In one case it is taken by force; in the other, by consent. Because consent is involved, true healing can only begin when the wrong is acknowledged and forgiveness is sought. That’s why pretense and denial are so devastating: forgiveness can only be experienced by those who honestly admit they need it.
I am accessory to the crime for the lost of my own flesh. When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and my savior, admitted all the sins that I have done. I know I’m forgiven. I believe that only forgiveness can heal the wound, scarce will always exist not to remind you of the wrong things that you have done but to remind you that the wound was healed by the Almighty.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loyal love; according to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Psalm 51
Just like King David’s repentance and confession for committing adultery with Bathsheba, and for arranging the murder of her faithful husband, Uriah, deep sense of guilt and grief David experienced after his sin. He suffered physically and emotionally until he confessed his sin. I cried out to God, my savior, my father and my best friend, just like David. God’s eye is upon me His loving kindness is upon me all the time.
When I refused to confess my sin, my whole body wasted away, while I groaned in pain all day long. Then I confessed my sin; I no longer covered up my wrongdoing. I said, “I will confess my rebellious acts to the Lord.” And then you forgave my sins. Psalm 32:3,5
March 18th, 2006 at 1:55 am
It is not “forgive and forget” as if nothing wrong had ever happened, but “forgive and go forward,” building on the mistakes of the past and the energy generated by reconciliation to create a new future.
Carolyn Osiek, Beyond Anger
March 21st, 2006 at 10:46 pm
John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (KJV)
Psalm 51:12, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (NIV)
Acts 2:28, “‘You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’” (NIV)
Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (NIV)
Psalm 31:2-3, “Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.” (NIV)