Abandonment: Time to Forgive
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Children abandoned by one or both parents often harbor resentment and unforgiveness toward those parents. And they become victims of their own unforgiveness.
The Bible has much to say about forgiveness. We need to start by understanding the forgiveness God offers us. The Bible teaches that we have all sinned. Every one of us. And with sin in our life, we cannot spend eternity in heaven with our holy God. But God found a way . . . He sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth to die on the cross and pay the penalty for our sins.
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were
still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Romans 5:8-11 NLT
"While we were yet sinners" Christ suffered and died on the cross so we could be forgiven. His forgiveness is a gift. We could never earn it or deserve it. All we need to do is reach out and take it by trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Consider this …
Maybe a parent abandoned you. Maybe the parent lived under the same roof with you but neglected you. Whatever happened ... God calls you to forgive. Not because they deserve it. But because Jesus is willing to forgive you even when you don't deserve it. How can you do less?
In fact, Jesus calls us to love those who have wronged us ... and to pray for them.
"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:44-45 NLT
Your life will never be whole ... you will never be healed from the scars of abandonment ... until you take this step. Are you ready?
Prayer
Father, I've had such bad feelings toward my parent(s) so many years. I believe that because of Jesus you have forgiven me though I certainly don't deserve your forgiveness. I receive your gift of forgiveness. Help me to extend that same kind of forgiveness to my parent(s).
In Jesus' name ...
These thoughts were drawn from … Restoring Families: Overcoming Abusive Relationships through Christ by Janet M. Lerner, D.S.W. This study helps to minister to families caught in the cycle of abusive relationships. The curriculum deals with overcoming these abusive relationships through Christ and is recommended for use in support groups and Christian counseling.
- Ministers to families from abusive relationships
- Ministers to victims of family violence
- Deals with wounded emotions
- Deals with control and intimacy issues
- Presents a strong message of Christ as healer of abusive relationships
Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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