Within this year I began a journey to lose weight. Not because I care what people think, but because I want to be spiritually, mentally and physically healthy for myself and for my family. It has been almost a year now and as of today I am down seventeen pounds.
People have been incredibly supportive. And I have had lots of opportunities to encourage and share with others on their journey. However, there have been moments when some one would say something that would stop me in my thoughts. Reminded that words can carry weight and if I was not careful I could easily pick up the weight of my own insecurity. I would question. Why would they say that to me? Was I really that overweight? It was then that I quickly realized that I had a choice. I could carry the weight of those words and let them feed into my own insecurity or I could choose to smile with complete sincerity and love in my heart. Our identity is not in the weight of words or in the weight of our own insecurity but our identity is in Christ alone and who He says we are. Everyday we get to choose. We can choose love, understanding, grace and kindness. And then give it ALL away!
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
In May, I took a second trip back to Rwanda, Africa. This time we carried my daughter with us. God grew our faith and taught us both a lot while we were there. Including trusting God more. He used both of us in ways we could have never imagined. Several months later we are still processing.
One thing that God showed me through the beautiful people of Rwanda is how to love others well through forgiveness. Forgiveness is a word that leads to an action that if not freely given away can catch us up. Puts a big snag in our story and can keep us stuck. It is that little lump in the throat. It hinders us.
In 1994 a genocide took place in Rwanda. Family, friends and communities were torn apart and completely destroyed. Thousands of people were lost during those three months. Fast forward to where God intervenes. The people of Rwanda, some who had lost everything found the courage to face the ones who had committed these atrocities and extended forgiveness. Relationships grew and communities began to heal. Rwanda is now thriving and growing like never before. Rwanda is full of smart beautiful creatives with these incredible untouched and natural God-given resources. God is still healing and writing their well-favored story.
I am a sexual abuse survivor. Forgiveness has always been hard for me. God began my healing several years ago. And on the journey to healing He carried me to Rwanda to witness first hand what only God can do. When I learned of that kind of forgiveness, healing and genuine love for one another. How could I not forgive. Forgiveness is a process that is not impossible . It is not easy but God meets with us and walks us through. He never leaves us to go through our trials alone. He sends others to walk alongside us and us with others. You know, the ones that say “me too.” That is beauty of our story. It is the good stuff that comes from the hurt. It is what draws us closer to God. That is the blessing that it produces. I honestly don’t know what I would do with out the hope He has given me and that hope is for you too. If you are harboring unforgiveness of any kind. Please lay it down. Don’t hold on to it another second. Some things are way to heavy for us to carry alone. Ask God to help you. He is faithful. God will never ask us to do what He hasn’t already done for us. Don’t allow the enemy to steal from you any longer. There is so much healing and freedom that can come from forgiving.
Matthew 6:14 NIV says “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Luke 18:27 NIV Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Jeremiah 33:6 NIV “‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”
Refrences: Zondervan NIV Study Bible, 2008 Update.
