Thursday, March 02, 2023

Forgiveness. So simple to say, and so difficult to apply. Why should it always be me? Can I not hold on to my anger just for a little bit, Lord? He hurt me so much! She treated me so unfairly! Why should I always be the one to forgive? This is what I thought once, when people close to me kept behaving in an irresponsible way, affecting the lives of many. That day, I was preparing a Bible study, but I was not at peace. So, God pointed out He cannot bless what I am doing as long as I hold on to my anger, no matter how justified I may have felt about it. He has forgiven me so much more! I realized I still had bitterness in my heart, repented, and decided to let it go. When I did, the joy of the Lord’s forgiveness filled me! He reminded me again: Forgiveness is not exonerating the other person of their wrongdoings; forgiveness is you releasing a prisoner, and that prisoner is you. As long as you hold on to the bitterness, you are not free. So, no matter how many times this person has hurt you, forgive!

The Haggai Leader Experience opened my eyes about the urgency of sharing the Gospel. It transformed me and the way I approach ministry: more focused on people, not methodology.