Doubt

Doubt is like a thorn lodged beneath the skin. In our day to day lives it is hardly noticeable. We don’t feel it and therefore we don’t think about it. Yet when the surrounding tissue is put under stress our pain flares to the point where it consumes our every thought.

From here there are but two choices. We can either stop doing whatever it was that we were doing when the flare up occurred or we can dig that thorn out.

Don’t let a little thorn stop you from completing your big calling. In order to do what you were called to do the thorn has to go!

Doubt stands in the way of faith in the same way that a roadblock stands in the way of our travels. Our journeys stall here and until the roadblock is removed we cannot continue.

Has doubt crept into your faith walk?

Does it feel like you’re going nowhere?

It’s time to remove the roadblock. Only then will you be able to continue your ascent to your ultimate destination.

Resentment

Resentment is a leaky boat. It may stay afloat for a while but it is destined to sink into the raging sea of negativity. Forgiveness is a bucket. While it cannot keep the unforgiving waters from seeping in, it offers a way to bail out that which threatens to otherwise swamp us.

Forgiveness is not always easy. It is often undeserved and extended to those with unrepentant hearts. We have been the recipients of many hurts in this world but we are the cause of many as well. While unforgiveness appears to give us a mechanism by which we can protect self, we are deceived by its charms. It leads to skepticism, cynicism and never ending suspicion. What seems to offer us protection in fact leaves us more vulnerable than ever.

Jesus instructs us to forgive. Clearly He understands the consequences of the alternative. He leads through His own example.

Throughout His life He forgave others of their trespasses. Even as He hung on a cross dying a death orchestrated by His enemies He prayed, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing!”

This was a demonstration, not only of forgiveness, but of intercession.

He did not instruct us to forgive without giving us the ability to do so. He gave us the grace we would need to forgive even the offenses that are seemingly unforgivable.

As children of the Most High we are given the opportunity to surrender resentment and to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The alternative is simply not sustainable.

When we come to grips with what we have been forgiven of, we realize that our only choice regarding the trespasses of others is to forgiveness.

“Father, teach me to forgive even when I cannot find a way. Give me perspective and help me to view my situations through Your eyes rather than my own. Help me to live in a way that honors the second directive Jesus gave me, to love my neighbors as I do myself. Remind me of Your forgiveness extended to me through the precious blood of Your Son. Yes, LORD, give me perspective. Teach me to see what You see. Teach me to forgive as You have forgiven. Transform me from the inside out. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

“He who has been forgiven much loves much,” – Jesus.

Option Z

In seasons where we have faced difficult situations how many times have we approached God saying, “Well, LORD there is option A then there’s options B and C…”

In His perfect timing God does answer our prayers… but He goes with “option Z!”

Where it concerns our God, His power is matched only by His creativity. So while we think we fully understand our troubles and the means by which He can “fix” them, the LORD says, “I have all power and I have all means to deliver you.”

Let God be God and watch what He can do!

 

~ Mitch Salmon

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Mitch Salmon is the founder of Fisher of Men Productions and a follower of Jesus Christ and proclaimer of the Good News – The Gospel of Christ Jesus!