I see your wounds...
I know how you have been
hurt...each has impacted your life...
yes... you have been changed
and no...you didn't deserve
to be treated that way whether
by sins of commission or omission
they were egregious....plain and simple...
it was wrong...but...still...I call
you to Forgive...not for their sake
but for yours...Unforgiveness
is a Poison for your soul...
it's as if when you consume the
contents of its cup you expect
your offender to die...but...it does
nothing to punish the transgressor...
they could care less...it only destroys
the one who imbibes its toxicity
in a futile attempt at an execution
of justice but whose caustic fruit
blossoms on your tree of bitterness
deformed from its diseased roots -
demons' deceptions / accusations /
lies falsely promising retribution
for your offender but in reality
you are the only one who reaps
the dark harvest in your soul -
not only in this life but jeopardizing
the next...so...yes...Forgive as I
Forgive you...be Merciful as
you have received My Mercy...
that is the Antidote for the Poison
of Unforgiveness... and....notice...
I did not say 'Trust'...that must be
earned...but...if you do not Forgive...
how then can you expect Me to Forgive
you?...the Fruit of Forgiveness allows
you to no longer be oppressed by
resentment...repressed hatred...
suppressed victimhood and the
triggered emotions which erupt
at any given moment...think about
this.. who has been more Unjustly
treated than I?...despised / rejected /
mocked / cruelly tortured...Profanity
of Profanities -The Son of God...
Crucified! - yet even in My
weakened humanity I asked My
Father to Forgive them...so...This is
My Offer to you...Grace to... Forgive...
Let go of your offender's punishment...
Pour out the cup of poison...
Give your offender over to Me...
Trusting Me to Heal your wounds
no longer being infected by your
sins of hatred / revenge.. but...what
of your pain?...the suffering thrust
upon you?...the hurtful memories
arriving without notification?...the
struggles to let go?...your feelings
of frustration at your perpetrator's
lack of repentance?... Know that -
even here - I make all things
work for good for those who
Love Me...I Offer you the
Opportunity to Join your suffering
with My Passion for the sake of
those you love...a Deeper Union
of our Hearts...a Transformation
for the sake of the Kingdom...
and Know as well that I AM the
Just One...the One who brings Justice -
whether in this life or the next -
My Grace is Offered to All - both
to Repent and to Forgive - for
All have sinned and fallen short
from the Glory of the Father...
I Am the Way...Truth...Life...
Each is Free to Come to My
Merciful Throne...so...carefully
Consider and Choose...It is
Freedom if you Receive...A
Painful Captivity if you Refuse...
Reflection / Discussion:
-Why is it crucial for your well-being to forgive?
-Why is it difficult to forgive?
-What is the relationship between your feelings and your will in forgiving?
-Have you experienced the Grace to Forgive? How?
-Have you experienced the poison of unforgiveness? How?
-How does 'letting go' of an Offender bring healing?
-If you have sinned against anyone and not repented to them...ask for Grace and take care of it.
-How does this poem describe 'Redemptive Suffering'?
-Have you experienced that? How?
