FORGIVENESS

How hard it is for us to forgive those we feel have transgressed against us. It takes a lot to forgive others or even ourselves. Do you know that unforgiveness can breed defeat in our minds? Many suicides are a direct result of our thoughts of how we have been treated. We often think the world has dealt us a raw deal or God is punishing us for something we did wrong when we go through afflictions.

But as I read and pray, I have come to understand that "Our trials come to make us strong." Contrary to what you might believe, afflictions help us to become more compassionate toward others and draw us closer to our heavenly Father.

This can only be fulfilled in our lives if we use the one who is the "plumbline" or "the cornerstone" for the building. We must line up with the WORD of GOD. Understand that Jesus was tempted as we are and feels all of our afflictions. He tells us that we are to take up our cross and follow Him.

Hebrews 12:3 tells us... "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." The battle is in the mind, not the heart. The heart is just an organ to support the functions of the body; but the mind is the battlefield between life and death.

We are overcomers by the words of our testimony. Our testimony is how we came through our trial in victory. Victory is making the most of the day that we have been given.

I've often heard a saying that I find much truth in: "Regret looks back; Worry looks around; but Faith looks up."