Devotions
Right or Write!
And what I have forgiven–if there was anything to forgive–I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2 Corinthians 10-11
So many times in my life, I’ve found myself caught up in time consuming efforts of trying to correct “wrongs” either done to me or that I’ve done to someone else. Maybe you are able to relate.
We are relational beings! God created us to live together, not alone. As we go about our days, we “rub” against each other and sometimes the result feels thorny. “He/she hurt my feelings!” “What they said was so hurtful and offensive!”
Or, maybe what you hear in your head sounds more like this, “I didn’t mean to do/say that. Now, my heart hurts because of what I’ve done.” Sometimes our conflict is with someone no longer living and regret becomes all-consuming as we cannot find a solution.
While talking to a dear friend last week about how we, in our humanness, get caught up in the vicious cycle of remorse, we agreed that God does not want us to waste time fretting over anything, especially when we have an option. Please forgive me if what I’m about to suggest sounds too simple, but my interpretation of Scripture leads me to think that we have two choices in the face of human conflict…we can either right it, or write it off! In choosing to do this, we “outwit” Satan instead of the other way around!
If you have unfinished business that requires you to make an effort to resolve conflict in a relationship, then, do what you can to make it right. Pray and ask our heavenly Father to use your desire for resolution to match up with His and trust that along with your obedience to His guidance, He will work it out. Whatever happens from this point is in the hands of God. Do all you are able and leave it with Him.
In the case of not being able to right a wrong because the person is no longer living, then the same principle applies, in that, we don’t want to give Satan any room to play havoc. We pray and ask God to extend His grace and peace to us, thank Him for Jesus, Who makes all things possible, and then, write it off as Jesus said in the battle with sin, “It is finished!” [John 19:30]
Dear Lord, help me, today, to turn all of my unfinished business over to You for guidance and resolution.
In Jesus, AMEN
To The One Who fought Satan on the cross…AND WON!!
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I thank you for this post. It has helped me with holding on to things that happened in my life. My husband passed away suddenly last year March 22,2019. I have been devastated. This scripture has blessed me. And your words have incouraged me. I will lay all my burdens down at the feet of my precious Jesus. And not pick them back up. There were bad things done in the marriage of 43 yrs. on his part, that hurt me badly. So now I will let it go. My husband is no longer here. And I will move on. And btw, I did forgive him. I loved him with all my heart. I have been a holy sanctified woman since I was 15, The Lord has never failed me. I am now 63, and still serving a wonderful Savior. Thanks again. And God Bless You.