Forgive : the key to joy and peace

Wednesday, 7 June 2023

Forgive : the key to joy and peace

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Love your enemies, do good and lend without expecting anything in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Luke 6.35 Segond Version 21

A few years ago someone told me about a person who worked in partnership with our ministry and made a lot of money from that relationship. One day, I overheard the conversation of this person, who was sitting not far from me in the restaurant. Unfortunately, she was talking about me – and not in a good way. First of all, anger rose in me and I wanted to tell her that she would never do business with our ministry again.

But at night, in my bed, the Holy Spirit said to me : "You will not do any of this." Then he added : "You are going to do what you teach. You are going to buy this person a present and tell them how much you appreciate the services they have been providing for all these years." Needless to say, I initially turned a deaf ear.

Eventually, I gave in and gave this person a gift. What struck me the most was that I found this situation very amusing, as soon as I started to do something good for her. I was laughing out loud, all alone at home.

When we come to look at the people who have hurt us with compassion, it is celebration in our inner being. So who can you pardon and give a gift to today ? Practice forgiveness and follow the path that leads to true peace and true joy !

Listen the voice of God

Have you ever been unfairly bullied by someone you trusted ? Take the time to listen to what God wants to tell you about this.

To pray is to entrust yourself to your God. Here is an example of a prayer : "Lord, sometimes it seems impossible for me to forgive, but I want to obey your Word which tells me to have compassion and to do good towards those who have hurt me. I know that 'then I will be able to feel joy and peace in my inner being."

Praise God

To praise God is to express our gratitude to him. Review in your heart the goodness of the Lord. He never tires of forgiving you, does he ? Even when you think he has reason to be angry with you, he blesses you ! Thank him for his infinite grace !

Act today

How will you practice forgiveness in new ways ? For example, you can love a person who has hurt you by doing something that he does not expect from you : a message, a gesture... God will help you to be merciful, as he is to you.

Honor the Lord

Our journey for the day ends. Let us pray together to honor our God.

"Lord, you teach me a little more each day to follow you ! To you be the kingdom, the power and the glory, amen !"

Joyce Meyer

Source (The Thought of the Day)