Healing and Forgiveness

**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
 
    I never realized that feeling hurt would lead me to confession which would in turn lead me to receiving forgiveness from God.

    A few months ago I saw someone I knew and instantly felt hurt. I did not know what because I could not think of exactly what he had done so I decided to talk to Jesus about it.

    The following day while on a run, I talked to Jesus. In my prayer I asked God to help me figure out why I was hurting – had this person done something or was I playing a victim?

    In prayer God revealed my heart – I was blaming this person for an expectation I had of God. I was using him as a scapegoat when in reality I was upset with God. I was upset with God because something didn’t go my way, and God did not do anything to help it go my way. It was all about me – my way!

    This led to confession, which led to receiving God’s forgiveness, which led to healing. The hurt was no longer there towards this man or towards God.

    Recently, this was part of a prayer of confession at my church. It connected the dots and maybe it will connect some dots for you and God will heal your pain as He forgives your sin.

    “Hear the cries of our hearts, O God, and heal our pain as you forgive our sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” 

**Sit quietly again in silence for as long as is available to you.**

The Weight of Guilt

**Sit quietly, eyes closed, for one minute before reading.**

    How is guilt holding you down? Is there something weighing on your heart that is secret, hidden? I am talking true guilt. Guilt of something you have done ultimately against God, not guilt that someone has made you unnecessarily feel or maybe you have made yourself feel.
    To bring what is dark to the light can have overwhelmingly positive consequences and freedoms yet there is real battle and challenge to move from darkness to light.
    Take time and consider the weighty areas of your heart. Ask God to give you the strength to be honest with yourself and with Him. Let go and let Him graciously work.
    Is there something you need to confess? Talk to God, share this with a good friend and in the right time and seek forgiveness from the one(s) you have offended. Trust God in the midst of it all. Let freedom from the weight of guilt come.

Have more than two minutes?: These thoughts came from reading Genesis 37-45. If you have more than two minutes, go read the story of Joseph and consider what might have been going on in his brothers’ minds in chapter 45.

**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**