Accountability is most heart-wrenching when we feel that we have failed. We have all seen that look of judgment from another, and even more so from the few inches between our face and the mirror. Looking at oneself, and seeing failure can make all sights and sounds fade away except the own screaming from our inner voice.
However, there is victory in failure. How many times did Thomas Edison try to get the exact mechanics right for the light bulb before he saw light? Did every equation that Einstein attempted to write prove to be correct when tested against a problem to solve? No. But we have light, and we have E=mc2, the theory of relativity.
Having a relationship with Jesus allows us the option to be victorious. On earth, even the strongest Christians will judge others, try as they may to put it aside. The real release from feelings of failure is in forgiveness. The equation here is repentance + asking for forgiveness + forgiving others. These three steps in combination will free us from feelings of failure and allow us to find and remain in favor with God.
Repent: Luke, the physician writes in Acts 3:19, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Can you identify the words "wiped out" in this verse? Looking ourselves in that mirror, and seeing our own face in judgment may be overwhelming, but there is monumental power in forgiveness. If we can focus on the outcome and not the crime in ourselves, asking for forgiveness will set us free. Our sin will be wiped out. A clean slate is what we will start with in an instant. And believe me, God hears our voice. God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus desire one thing: a relationship. God does nor keep a record of our wrongs after the very instant that we ask for forgiveness.
Even though we cannot hit the "rewind button" in life, a change in perspective can free us from our wrongs. God will forgive and forget. Therefore, failure is only as temporary as we allow it to be.
Ask yourself today, "What do I need to erase from my conscience? Who or what inside me do I need to forgive?"
Ask: 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land." I mentioned earlier how God hears our voice immediately. Right at the very moment that we speak our words to Him. It goes on to say that it should be in prayer, to seek His face, and turn against our wrongdoings. And what does He promise. He will hear. He will forgive. He will hear our land.
Think of your land as your sphere of influence. Everyone has a group of people that they feel accountable to. It will be your spouse, your children, perhaps someone that you are a sounding board for or even the neighbor; adult or child. God asks us to come to Him in prayer. It can be short; it only needs to be sincere. And that sincerity must carry through to correcting our actions.
I have personally had the experience of "seeing God's face." Admittedly, most times it has been in church as a prayer is being offered from the pastor to the congregation and mine personally in the service. It usually appears as I look up. Not coincidentally, it puts My Father in perspective. He may be above me vertically, but He is there and readily available when I call on Him or listen to other's words. It is not as frequent as I would like, but the feeling is unimaginable in a way that could be explained to others. Seeking His face is an experience I desire to have at home, or sitting in traffic, or on a park bench when I have time alone. I see this as a skill that can be acquired. Keep trying and be patient. Remember, God is omnipresent. He will always hear and will respond on His time for your good. Keep praying. Seek His face. Turn from behavior that is not permissible in your relationship with Almighty God.
Forgive others: Paul writes in Colossians 3:14, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Again, a simple verse, but the outcome is life-changing when put into perspective. The act of forgiving others can be harder than forgiving yourself. There are certain things that eat away and gnaw at us deep inside. To the middle of our very core, things that have happen to us when we feel strongly that we have been wronged tend to remain longer than they should. Forgiving others will also free you from pain. Even more so than forgiving yourself.
Luke 6:37 says, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Think about the universal scope of these three sentences. If we do not judge others, there will be no one that will judge us. Condemn not, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. I say universal to indicate that even halfway across the world, others will see you differently if you follow these steps. No one can judge you, and therefore harm you. No one will condemn, or judge, if you are able to forgive.
Since it is harder to forgive others, in your heart find one person that you can forgive. Done in private, hey will not know that you have done so. Put in perspective, this act may free them from something by your prayer and cause them to forgive another. God may, in that very instant, seek their heart to forgive another. I believe that freeing yourself can free others. Seek God's face first in prayer, and let Him work, and see what happens.
This may be a lot to digest, but keep it simple. Try this simple exercise today. Make the equation at my suggestion as derived from the Word of God.
Repent + ask for forgiveness + forgive others.
No comments:
Post a Comment