One Hard Choice With Great Rewards
Do you feel events in your life are unfair? That you’ve been kicked under the bus, while others prosper. How you repeatedly try to change the outcome of your story, with no success.
I struggle with chapters that changed the course of my life and wonder why these events happened. However, when I dwell on these situations, it interrupts my present and future. Moreover, it’s exhausting, especially when your mind plays the same song...
If only I didn’t lose my job.
Why didn’t I wait for a partner that made my heart skip a beat.
Why are there no open doors of opportunity.
Why don’t people want to associate with me.
I must be a bad person as nothing good happens in my life.
God doesn’t hear my prayers, as I continue to suffer.
I confess I’ve had each of those thoughts. The last two in particular as struggles continue to climb. Many times, I feel like I’m walking in a sandstorm, blasted and blinded with no end in sight. That light has forsaken me, as why would a God want anyone to struggle when He loves you.
We may never understand God’s purpose; however, each event is meant to provide the opportunity to seek Him and keep your eyes on Him. It’s when you stray, fall off the path, you create ripples that lead you away from God’s grace to unwarranted thoughts and actions.
One of the hardest things is to act, confess your mistakes, and admit to God your actions and words are sin in His eyes.
It’s written in Matthew 5:21-22:
Jesus says it plainly.
Matthew 5:21-22:
“Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to the court. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, “You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”
You are as guilty as someone who murdered if you slander another, hold resentment in your heart, seek revenge or pay back by not speaking to the person who caused the anger, gossiping to others, and allowing the event to play in your mind so anger festers. It’s holding it in that leads to contempt and actions you regret.
Moreover, in this state the enemy dwells. He’ll do everything in his power to nurture your anger.
Satan’s goal is to squash the light and have his darkness reign in your heart. A darkness fueled by negative thoughts towards the person who wronged you. Conjuring conversations to ensure they suffer to make you feel justified. Conversations that if given the opportunity released, creates further rifts.
Thoughts can begin like a tremor and then a catastrophic earthquake when spoken. Words that can never be retracted.
It’s uttering the words that breaks hearts and causes separation.
Jesus further states...
Matthew 5:23-24
Jesus’s desire is for you to ask for forgiveness. It’s one of the hardest acts that has the greatest reward.
Matthew 5:23-24
Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
To recognize your thoughts, how you wronged another, isn’t easy, as you believe your actions were necessary.
However, saying words that cause self-sabotage, threat or pain isn’t a solution. But it happens constantly. People with authority that look down on others, carry their hate and release it on you, or people who feel threatened and place demands you can’t fulfill, or utter words that make you feel worthless.
It’s always in the words, in your mind and what you say.
What you say and think in anger has consequences. Without forgiveness it can consume and rule your life. In this state, you hurt yourself and others, as darkness becomes your kingdom where the light is vanquished and only hate remains.
James 3:6
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
You’re not meant to live holding resentments and feeding an angry heart. You’re meant to recognize your wrongs, confess, and embrace the light. However, this is where resistance steps in, as you fight a battle believing your actions are justified. It’s when you view your actions through the lens of Christ, you recognize your faults. Become humble and desire forgiveness.
The Lord knows you’ll never be perfect or righteous; however, it doesn’t stop Him from seeking you with an enduring love.
Romans 3:10
There is no righteous person, not even one.
You’re born with sin. It follows you in every step. The only way to be forgiven is to recognize the need for Christ in your life.
It’s in death to your thoughts, actions, and words through the Lord you are redeemed.
What you don’t want is to isolate yourself with negative thoughts or have others encourage and support you to believe your actions are justified. It only gives birth to more anger and hate.
As God’s creation, He knows you can’t bare this load alone. It’s too heavy. A burden that crushes your spirit and desire to do good. However, you don’t have to be alone. To recognize the need for the Lord in your life, He not only surrounds you with His love, He becomes a part of you. He lives in you through the gift of the Holy Spirit
John 15:4
Remain in Me, and I in you.
Jesus flourishes as you open your heart to Him.
Recently, we celebrated Valentine’s Day. A day where you show love and kindness to a special loved one; however, being in the Lord, His love shines daily.
And this world needs more love, kindness, and compassion.
Not only did we celebrate Valentine’s Day, but we mourned the loss of innocent lives in the tragedy at Tumbler Ridge. A situation that may have been avoided through confession and releasing anger to a loving God willing to forgive.
It’s in loving others, opening your eyes to witness love, and seeking forgiveness that you plant seeds to help others.
It’s time the world planted more seeds.
To have gardens flourish and conquer darkness.
To invite the Lord to be not only with you, but in you, as with the Lord, you’re not alone in this fight.
In John 8:12, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
The brighter His light shines, the less darkness there is in the world.
I pray you recognize your thoughts, be aware of the words you speak, seek forgiveness, and embrace the light of the Lord so your anger can be healed.
God Bless,
One way to grow your faith is recognizing habits that don’t serve God—scrolling, gossiping, envy, to name a few. I created a Prayer Journal based on John 3:30, “He must increase, I must decrease.”
A journal to help you recognize habits.
How to replace them with steps that align with the Lord’s purpose for your life.
To give Him the reigns so worldly attachments decrease and His presence increases.
It’s taking action that transforms the crevasses of your heart, from a heart of resentment to a heart of forgiveness, compassion and love. Take the journey—allow the Lord to mold you into fine wine.
The Prayer Journal is available as a digital download at my ETSY Shop, Archway Designs by CFC Studios.
Get your copy today.
Hi, I’m Cathy.
A creative professional passionately driven to pointing people away from new age indoctrination to find redemption in Jesus Christ and encouraging others in their walk with the Lord.
I’m a mixed blend, excited to share all I offer...
Blog-Twisted Roots
Do you find yourself asking questions about new age, whether the practices and beliefs are leading your soul to redemption?
As a reformed new ager, I was saturated in the belief I could co-create with the universe and manifest a life of abundance. But I was deceived. This blog is to point you to the truth of the word of God and how He perceives new age indoctrination.
The blog is also written to inspire and encourage Christians in their walk of faith.
Prayer Journals
To help you in your faith journey, I created Prayer Journals, to build a closer bond with Christ Jesus.
As you grow, it’s important to dedicate time to be with God in prayer, a quiet space to meet with Him, and invite Him into your daily thoughts. In doing so, you will experience His peace and presence in every aspect of your life.
Nature and Fine Art Photography
I always dreamed of being a professional photographer when I grew up. It was a journey to reach this goal. When the opportunity presented itself, I knew it was time to fulfill my dream.
I owned a home-based studio for over a decade but have been shooting images for two decades. Now, semi-retired, I have a collection of my most cherished images of landscape or fine art available for wall décor.
