We get honest.
To forgive or offer genuine apologies we need to become honest about our powerful, uncomfortable feelings such anger, jealousy, greed, sorrow, guilt, shame, and pain.
During our message this weekend, I encouraged folks to remember to read the Psalms as there is a Psalm for every emotion. Therefore, there is a prayer for every feeling of the human heart before God. Nothing is hidden.
One of the best ways to discover aspects of ourselves we are blind to is to look closely at our enemies. It is often said that the things we can't stand in others reveal sides of ourselves we can't bear.
One journal exericse, if you are game, is to make a list. Identify several eternal enemies in your life such as specific people, government groups, people groups, or situations. Name them and give as much specific information as you can. What about these persons or situations make you feel so critical or have such hostility?
Now, make a second list on another sheet of paper. This time identify internal enemies in your life; attitudes, behaviors, reactions, perceived weaknesses or limitations.
Finally, compare your lists. What do you notice? Are there any common themese? Any surprises or fresh connections for you about yourself such as patterns or opposites?
As we seek to know ourselves and be known by our God in Christ Jesus we ask, "What can you learn from our eternal and internal enemies?" What can they teach us about how we handle conflict? Or what we struggle with that needs strengthening?
Your reflections become fodder for more prayer. Seek God's presence in the midst of your honesty about your feelings about all of your enemies. Our genuine response which moves us further in our capacity for forgiveness is to invite Jesus' healing grace into our lives.
See you in the forgiving place,
Pastor Michelle
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