Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)
Recently, I experienced an incident where a person whom I knew from my past revealed to me that I had said something to hurt her in 4th grade that she had still resented me for all these years later. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and joy that God had led her to forgive me for that and release it to Him.
The Lord used this incident as well as others in my life to impress upon me just how much wounds, resentments, unforgiveness and bitterness can affect our lives, even towards those who are not aware that they have hurt us at all! My friends, this is a serious matter. I have been there! I can testify!
The Word warns us about allowing bitterness to take "root" in our hearts in Hebrews 12:15 --
Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it. (Amplified Bible)
With this in mind, I personally feel led to take the opportunity and the time to ask for forgiveness from any and everyone that I may have hurt knowingly or unknowingly in my entire life. This could be from childhood, adolescence, teen years, college years, young adulthood, all the way up until now. Whatever I may have done to hurt you, I am truly sorry. I only desire for you to be free, to experience the grace and goodness and mercy of our heavenly Father.
This note is the equivalent of me leaving the altar and going to whoever has an issue or a hurt and seeking reconciliation. True, we may never be close confidants or hang out together, but we can release the past and embrace all God has for the future. By God's perfect grace, we can overcome the temptation to harbor resentments and to choose the way of agape, the way of God's love and restoration.
I pray that this has touched someone's heart tonight. If not toward me personally, I pray that it has begun to stir your thoughts toward others whom have hurt or abused or harmed you in some way or whom you may have hurt, and I pray that true reconciliation can happen within your heart. I pray that you will experience the fresh and wonderful grace of the Savior Jesus Christ to fill you with His perfect love and peace. May the Lord bless you always and in every possible way,
Tina
(Please feel free to send this to anyone you feel needs to see it, even if they are not on my friends list.)
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