THE CHOICE IS YOURS. . .AND SO ARE THE RESULTS!

Written September 28, 2007

You know, all through life we have challenges, trials, things that try to crush our hearts and spirits, things that try to cause us to live in fear, anger, bitterness. . . ALL of these things are designed to get our eyes off of God and on to our SELVES. But I have made a discovery!!
IF we will keep our eyes on HIM. IF we will press in to a closer relationship and dependance on HIM. IF we will put our full focus on HIM. . .EVERY situation that is meant to try to pry us away from Him, even if only for a time to focus on our problems, anger, fears, etc. . . will fade in the beautiful light of HIS glory!! HE will remove all fear!! IF we choose to let go of all of our disappointments, anger, bitterness, broken dreams and let HIM have them, HE will come in and bring a healing to our hearts and minds so wonderful that we will be amazed at the pure love and compassion that will flow through our hearts toward even the ones who have caused our hurt!!
The key word here is IF!! The choice is ours. God sets before us life and death, blessing and cursing. There is no one else to blame in this world if we choose to hang on to things and our lives reap the consequesnces. "But I have a right to be mad, fearful, etc. . ." Well, you have a right to make that choice. Believe me, I have had so many opportunities in my life to be angry, injured, fearful, and I did for a long time!! I was molested as a child, beaten as a young mother and raped and gang raped and a number of other abuses throughout the years! I have had sickness ravage my body to the point where I feared for my life!! But every time, God placed before me a CHOICE. I could walk in love, forgiveness and place my trust in Him, and live my life set apart for Him, OR I could hang on to my hurt (and believe me I was hurt badly! TRAUMATIZED!) and live my life separated from God and His best for me.
I did not always make the right choice, and trust me, it took a toll on me emotionally, spiritually and even physically!! "For I see you are POISONED by bitterness and BOUND by iniquity." Acts 8:23 The word iniquity here is adikia, which means misdeeds, injustice, moral wrongdoing, unjust acts, unrighteousness. It is the opposite of truthfulness, faithfulness and rightness. Unforgiveness can lead us down paths we would never have imagined we would travel. But forgiving others (Which is a COMMAND from God REGARDLESS of the offense!) will flush the poison of bitterness out of your body, mind and spirit!! He wants us healthy in every aspect of our lives and He knows full well the damage bitterness and unforgiveness can do!!
I am here to tell you first hand, this is no easy task!! I am challenged by it often!! And so many times I think "Surely God, You know that this time I have a right to be mad and hurt, and surely You see the injustice here!" But He is not looking for us to give Him our excuses as to why we are not choosing LIFE!! He gave us His Word, He has laid the choice before us and even tells us which one to choose!! It is never easy, but when we turn our hearts and minds toward God, HE will carry us through it to a place where we know our hearts and minds are free from the poisoning effects of unforgiveness and anger and bitterness.
When you are hurt, slandered, lied about, put down, abused, you have a choice!! You can walk the path that God has placed before you that guarantees healing and victory, OR you can choose to hang on, feed the fire, and be misierable. But be aware of this one thing. . .there is NO middle ground here! NO fence riding!! No walking closely with God AND walking in unforgiveness!! Listen to the words of Jesus - Matt. 6:15 - But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins; leaving them, letting them go and giving up on resentment], NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER FORGIVE YOU YOUR TRESPASSES. (Amplified)
That is pretty straightforward, He leaves no room for excuses! His standards are not blurry, they are pretty clear. Thank God when we choose to walk in the way He has shown us, He does not expect us to do it alone!! He is right there to help us!! Every step of the way! He is not a harsh and heavy taskmaster, He is a loving Father who knows what effect these things can have on our lives and how much they can steal from us in every area of our lives!! He wants the best for us, which is why when He tells us to choose, He also shows us how to choose the best thing for us to give us a happy and healthy life!
After doing this study I find this a necessary thing. . .to examine my heart daily and make sure that I am not holding on to anything that will make me sick spiritually, physically or emotionally!! I want the life God has for me! So, I CHOOSE to do it His way!! The way of LIFE!!