The Poison

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?