Anything is Possible......

As the days fly by, in the start of this new year, I recognize that I continue to be blessed.  Through each day, I try my best to NOT lean on my own understanding of why things are the way they are.....GOD knows why and I believe that is all that I need to know in this precious life that I am living.

However, there are days that I am challenged and tested.....as most Christians are ....On these days where emotions overwhelm my thought process it takes every bit of strength to make sure I am not feeding to the emotions that I think are going to make me happy and easier to move on from the situation, but that I am working towards what is going to make the situation RIGHT!  Doing what is right does not always put a smile on my face....I am not going to lie.  I am human and imperfect and being happy sends a gratifying rush of emotions through out my entire mind and body.  It feels good, at least, for the time being. 

I think that one of the most challenging emotions to overcome is forgiveness.  When I am faced with the task of forgiving someone for the hurt they have caused, I have to let my guard down and become vulnerable to the fact that I am choosing to let go of the negative, poisonous feelings.  Without my guard, I have to trust that the Lord will protect me and wrap his loving arms around me.  That is not saying that it is going to be easy; it is saying that it is going to take every bit of my inner strength and faith to breakthrough the painful events that will follow in the forgiving process.....

There is one individual that I have to say was very difficult to forgive, but I chose to do what was right.  It has taken me years to realize that even though I have managed to forgive this one specific individual, that I continue to be hurt.  However, it is not a powerless, vulnerable hurt......I realized it is a humbled, scarred hurt.

What the heck is a humbled, scarred hurt?  Well, the best way for me describe it is to compare it to a hole that a nail leaves behind on a piece of wood once it is pulled out.  The wood is fine and appears perfect in every aspect with the exception of the hole that was left from where the nail once existed.  I know that I am right in choosing to forgive and I appear to be fine.......but it takes work when I am faced with new situations that involve this individual.  I typically pray for strength and words of wisdom to work through each instance and constant reminding that I love this individual because we are part Christ's family in the bigger scheme of things. 

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.