by Gail Gritts
I remember one day I said something that I felt was off handed or unkind to one of the mothers in our neighbourhood. I was still very depressed at this time and just starting to come to the light, but I believed my words could have been hurtful, and I felt the Lord wanted me to apologize. I really didn’t know her well, but I knew where she lived.
So, with a huge spiritual battle going on in my head and heart, I marched myself down there and asked her to forgive me for my words. She looked at me like I had lost my mind (I think I was near that point). But she assured me of her forgiveness and asked me in.
I don’t remember anything that was said that day, but I do remember walking home knowing I had just turned a corner. No longer could my thoughts accuse and control me. I had obeyed by faith and God had met me there. Because of me? No, because I put her feelings above mine, swallowed my pride, and obeyed God.
Maybe you need to make some things right with people who have been hurt by your words or actions. Are you going to continue thinking how bad you have it, or reach out and think of the feelings of others? It’s hard stuff, but it was definitely a turning point for me.
“I will” verses are the ones that help us deliberately calculate our actions and choices. I will sing. I will pray. I will praise. I will not fear—beautiful verses that give hope for the future and an attitude that will take you there.
They are matched with the “I wills” of God – I will redeem you; I will hear when you cry, I will give you peace, I will answer, I will be your strength. You’ll find many more of these in Psalms as well. You can build your future and your walls on these promises!
It’s rare to find jewels just lying on the ground waiting to be picked up. The most valuable ones must be mined. The same is true for the promises of God. Sometimes, one will fall from the pulpit or pop up while you are reading scripture, but the ones of most value are revealed by agony of heart and a deeper understanding of the word.
When we take on the promises of God, we take up with Him. But the promise isn’t something we have created, they are His promises, and we use them.
The turrets on my castle remind me that Jesus was here! They mark where the enemy was defeated, and victory was mine. Wounds can be beautiful – they show that we lived. There is no shame in them, but they cannot be our focus. They are to be used to point others to Christ – to give God glory.