Embracing Forgiveness and Love: Lessons from the Resurrection
In the aftermath of Easter, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the profound lessons of the resurrection. This period is not just a celebration of renewal but also a time to embrace the virtues of forgiveness and love, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
When Love Becomes "Revenge"
The resurrection story teaches us a powerful paradox: sometimes the greatest "revenge" isn't revenge at all, but rather a demonstration of radical love. When Jesus rose from the dead after being betrayed and crucified, He didn't seek retribution against those who wronged Him. Instead, He offered forgiveness and reconciliation. This unexpected response to betrayal shows us that love can be the most transformative force in overcoming evil.
As the apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." This principle stands at the heart of the Christian faith and offers us wisdom for our daily interactions.
Choosing Forgiveness When Hurt Runs Deep
We've all experienced betrayal, hurt, or injustice that stirs our desire for revenge. The natural human instinct when wounded is to strike back. Yet the resurrection narrative challenges this reflexive response.
Jesus, despite having divine power at His disposal, chose the path of loving kindness. Even from the cross, He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). This example sets a high standard for how we might respond when wronged.
Forgiveness doesn't mean condoning harmful actions or remaining in unhealthy situations. Rather, it's about releasing ourselves from the prison of bitterness and allowing God's healing to work in our hearts.
Love as a Dividing Line
Interestingly, love serves as both a unifier and a divider. It draws together those who embrace its principles while sometimes creating separation from those who reject them. This doesn't mean we withhold love from anyone, but rather that living by love's principles may distinguish us from prevailing cultural norms.
When we choose love as our "revenge," we participate in transforming not only our personal relationships but potentially our communities and beyond. Every act of forgiveness creates ripples that extend far beyond the initial interaction.
Living with Grace: Self-Control, Patience, and Mercy
Embracing resurrection principles in daily life requires cultivating specific virtues:
- Self-control allows us to pause before reacting with anger
- Patience gives others space to grow and change
- Mercy extends compassion even when it isn't deserved
These qualities don't come naturally but develop through intentional practice and spiritual growth. The resurrection reminds us that with God's help, we can embody these virtues even in challenging circumstances.
Practical Steps for Resurrection Living
1. Reflect Before Reacting
When someone hurts or offends you, take a moment to breathe and consider your response. Ask yourself: "How might love respond here?" This pause can prevent words or actions you might later regret.
2. Seek God's Kingdom First
Jesus taught us to "seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33). When we align our priorities with divine values, responses of forgiveness and love become more natural. This spiritual foundation nurtures the fruits of faith, hope, and love in our lives.
3. Embrace Daily Renewal
The resurrection isn't just a historical event but a model for daily renewal. Each morning offers a fresh opportunity to:
- Purify our hearts from resentment
- Walk in mercy toward others
- Choose love over revenge
4. Practice Purposeful Forgiveness
Forgiveness is rarely a one-time decision but often a process of daily surrender. When memories of hurt resurface, recommit to your choice to forgive and ask for divine help in maintaining that commitment.
The Ultimate "Revenge"
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of resurrection living is how it transforms not only situations but people. When we respond to hatred with love, to cruelty with kindness, we participate in God's redemptive work in the world.
This approach to life offers freedom from the exhausting cycle of anger and retribution. It creates space for healing and reconciliation that revenge can never achieve. In this way, love becomes the ultimate "revenge" against everything that seeks to destroy and divide us.
As we continue to reflect on the resurrection's meaning, let's challenge ourselves to apply its principles to our daily interactions. When faced with opportunities for revenge, may we remember the example set for us and choose the more excellent way of love.
God Love YOU!!!!!
If you want to be a rebel and share YOUR story with the world, I have a free worksheet that can help you! Grab it HERE at www.Sharingmystory.com
We are H.I.S. (Hearts in Surrender)
Blessings,
Michele
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
In this blog post, the author discusses the topic of overcoming fear and shares her personal journey of breaking free from the fear that controlled her life. She talks about the emotional fear she experienced, such as feeling not smart enough or pretty enough, which led her to hide behind a shield and avoid conflict and rejection. However, she emphasizes that she has faith and realizes that she already has the courage within her to be brave, bold, and a leader.
The author also offers three helpful strategies to overcome fear. She encourages readers to surround themselves with a supportive sisterhood, establish boundaries to protect themselves and their comfort levels, and engage in intimate worship to find peace and surrender to God's love. She believes that God is fighting for the hearts of His children and that they can trust in His grace and walk confidently, knowing they are held by Him. The author concludes by inviting readers to watch a video she recorded on trust and surrender in the love of God and encourages them to rise up in a posture of surrender and embrace God's new mercies each day.
Read more...
Was it enough....a question every Mom asks herself when her now grown child leaves the house for college...Was it enough?!? Did I say all the right things? Do they know how to do all the things? Are they strong enough to manage the world at large on their own, did I prepare them enough? Did I love them enough? Do they believe in themself? Do they know how much they are loved by me, God, others? Was all I said lined up with all I did? Was I enough?
I'll never forget when child #1 left for college. I panicked! I hadn't even taught him how to sew a button or iron a shirt! What was I thinking!?! So, out came the sewing kit and iron, along with all the other random things you just don't really thing about amongst Mom Life. Simple and silly things too many to number. For each following child, the intentionality grew in passing along life skills and fun hacks!
I sat there on the driveway pondering my Mom List of Factoids I should have shared, the Lord showed up next to me and said, "Grace Mama, I am Enough. I Got Them." He does. My heart skipped a beat in relief and rest, easing the pain of regret and insecurity that had swelled inside me.
I may not have taught them how to make homemade bread or start a garden, I did show them the magic tricks of folding a fitted sheet and ironing around the shoulders of a dress shirt. They also know how to use their oils to heal ailments and they know how to use a glue gun and a drill! 3 out of 4 are a good shot too, just sayin'.
But more importantly, they learned Love and Grace. There is no perfect Mom and I was reminded of that on the daily as hard as I strived to be. They learned Jesus in our home. They learned serving others. They learned the importance of trust, honor and respect. They learned forgiveness, compassion and empathy. They dreamed, stretched and learned to navigate relationships as a family of 6.
Mom Life is a Ministry Calling. The most important gift we can give our children is spiritual legacy, to train them up in the Name of Jesus, making Him known and allowing God to be God in their life. Our Home is a mission field and it's hard work, but good work. There will be trials and rejection, push back and heartache in a house full of sinners!
But God!
Sending out a Heart Hug for your next driveway moment as you sit with such a tender, wondering heart. Deep breaths knowing He is near and He's Got You! He is enough because He is Everything we could ever need as a Mom, and He is the same loving Father to your children too!!
Hugs & Massive Love!
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
Bless You Mommas whose hearts are weary. Let the grace of God wash over you and fill up your soul. His mercies are new every day and it's never too late to seek forgiveness, restoration and peace. He is near. Draw close to His heart. Feel His breath over you, He is near.
I pray this brings some peace and high 5's to my Momma friends this week as the world celebrates Moms. We are sooooo valuable as the called vessels from God to the Mission Field of Motherhood. Bind the enemy from diminishing your impact and stirring up doubt or exasperation as you work in the Fields of Grace. Keep your eyes up, sing, dance, worship, play and pray!! You've Got This!!!
Read more...Nothing prepares you for the simplicity and hardness of Motherhood. Being a Mom is the most rewarding and adventurous career out there. Mom Life is a hard life but the most rewarding one. You are so many things to so many other people which is what makes it exhaustingly filling. To serve on the mission field as a Mom on Mission to raise up her child to love God and love others is an honor and a challenge, only possible through the ability to give and receive Love, to trust and surrender, to sacrifice and stretch beyond what is seen. Faith Life is Mom Life.
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