Moving On

Ephesians 4:31-32, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence]. Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you." (from the Amplified Bible)

I'm learning how to move on. To make the transition between one stage of life to another a lot smoother. Forgiving quicker. The reason why is very simple. It's really hard to move forward when you are always looking backwards. Unforgiveness is a weight that hinders. Bitterness is a prison which is hard to escape. Malice is a waste of time and energy. I realize that there are some major things that happen to us, but we cannot allow the history of those things to be couple with our active participation. Maybe it's time to let some things go. For good.

We talk so much about our freedom in Christ. However, that freedom in never truly experienced when we cannot process though our pain and misundertandings. Constantly drudging up the past is a great way to ensure that you will never enjoy the present (or the future). Take a good look over this passage of Scripture. It's pretty self-explanatory. Clamor - that perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, and fault-finding that you have with another person. Malice - the spitefulness that you feel, any verbal abuse you want to unload, and the intense often vicious ill will that you hold. How can it be healthy? It's not.

The prescription the Apostle gives for this unhealthy addiction that tends to run our lives is quite simple:
FORGIVE EACH OTHER!!!
Readily and freely.
BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER!!!
I'm sure it sounds ridiculous to some people, but kindness is an incredible weapon in the war against bitterness.
BE HELPFUL TO EACH OTHER!!!
You may never fully win over someone's heart. You can only do what you can do. Helping a self-proclaimed enemy in time of need goes a long way to rebuilding bridges.

I've said that this sounds simple enough. However, I know how difficult it can be. You just need to be reminded that there is grace for this. Always. Remember that the Father never asks us to do anything that He is not willing to do (or already doing) Himself. As hard as this may sound, it's much easier than trying to live with bitterness.

Last week I had this thought. I hope that it helps us to rethink how we handle all of this.
Hatred is such hard work.
Bitterness is such a waste of time.
Let love win in your heart. Always.
Enjoy the difference.

As Jesus was nailed to a cross he spoke these words, "Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing."
This same Spirit lives in you. Make it happen. Forgive. Release. And finally begin the process of enjoying the journey.