HEALTH CHECK (4)

'Are you in health, my brother?' 2 Samuel 20:9

Yesterday we saw the importance of keeping our thought-life in check because sin often enters our lives through temptation. But there's another area where our thoughts can cause us to sin: the failings of other people. When people upset us or let us down, it's easy to dwell on how much they've hacked us off and hurt us. But all that does is churn away at your insides and infect future relationships, because we're hanging on to past resentment.

We end up passing on our hurt to other people, rather than forgiving and moving on. God said this, through Paul, 'Don't sin by letting anger control you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil... And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tender hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you' (Eph. 4 26-32 NLT).

What now? Forgiveness can seem impossible. "Why am I the one who has to do all the work? They're the person in the wrong!" we say. But forgiveness comes from God, and we can't force ourselves to forgive. Rather than wait until you feel in a forgiving mood, turn to the source of grace and second chances - God. He alone will give you the ability to forgive.

written by Bob Gass