2025-09-12
Good morning, Dear Ones,
Last week, the Holy Spirit gave me more on forgiveness than anticipated, and this week He wants me to write about first forgiving ourselves. PR 11: 2, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Depending on how one is raised, he will decide what his own culpability is when there has been a quarrel. While attempting to sort out our differences, the first step, as I see it, is to calm down so that we can think clearly about what the wisest approach is to take. It always helps to ask God first what He thinks. Some people are raised not to do this, and it can make a lot of extra trouble in settling a matter. Others are raised to question their own motives, have little self-esteem, and blame themselves for everything that has gone wrong. Somewhere in the middle of these two extremes is usually God’s way.
God has told us we should take responsibility for our own thoughts and actions. GA 6: 4-5, “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” RO 14: 12 tells us, “Each one will give account of ourselves to God.” However, those raised in homes where there is constant criticism are in the habit of blaming themselves for everything that goes wrong. This other extreme is just as damaging to conflict resolution as refusing to take any responsibility for their part in the conflict. We’ve been told repeatedly to “Love your neighbor as yourself” in the Scriptures [LV 19: 18; JN 13: 34; MK 12: 31; GA 5:14]. The nature of our faith in God enters into this picture when we forget that we are created in God’s own image [GN 1: 27] and the love that He has for each of us. Remember Paul’s prayerful words, in EPH 3: 16-18, “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
It’s no surprise that God doesn’t approve of placing ourselves over everyone else and taking a self-centered approach to our interpersonal communication. That’s why we need to heed PHIL 2: 3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves.” Self-loathing is not God’s intention either. So where is that middle ground that our Lord wants for us?
If we are not sure, then visit the shelter under God’s wings and ask Him. Then, listen for His answer. Sometimes that answer doesn’t come as quickly as we would like. Other times, it happens right away. And when we need to wait for God’s answer, we need to exercise patience and calmness. HE 10: 35-36, “Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward. You need to be patient in order to do the will of God and receive what He promises.” God’s wisdom shows us that we must sometimes go through the “Refiner’s fire” first to understand something at the basis of a conflict. PS 66: 10, “For You have tested us, O God; You refined us as silver is refined.” Seeking His wisdom is necessary, and we learn, in JAS 1: 5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally without judging them for asking, and it shall be given.”
PRAYER: O Lord, we are weakened by our lack of perspective on conflicts and need Your wisdom all the time. You have told us, in 2 COR 12: 9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Your strength, power to do good, and perspective are always helpful and always righteous. Our imperfections are the reason for conflicts that need resolution. We are more than eager to acknowledge our need for You and willingness to follow Your advice. You patiently listen to our prayers and help us decide on the options before us. All You are and all You do makes us deeply grateful and welcome Your presence in intervention in our lives. You are to be forever thanked and praised for being the kind of God You are, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The Holy Spirit directs me to write about examining oneself, understanding God’s love at such times, and continuing to seek His will next week. We must remember that God loves us so much that He made the most excruciating sacrifice any being can make---watching His own Son, Jesus Christ, disrespected by opposers, abused and crucified on the cross, so that we could have the choice to be saved, justified, and eternally forgiven for our sins. By virtue of this great sacrifice of Christ’s physical life, we have the opportunity to live eternally in blissful fellowship with Him. That is the hope of the resurrection, and what a great gift that is! 1 PET 1: 3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Praise and thanksgiving be to Him!
Grace Be with You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2025. All Rights Reserved.
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