Crash - Burn - Forgive - Or Wallow In A Pigsty

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Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32

Letting Go of Control and Forgiving

No one can control what others believe, think, feel, want or do. To try to control such behavior will only leave us less than peaceful. Leave  trying to control people to God,  through Jesus.  For He is Lord of All. God is the one "who works out everything and brings everything into conformity with the purpose of His will." No one else can do this. (See Ephesians 1:11 NIV)  Indeed, it is best to "let go and let God." Then, God will bring healing, hope and help to your life and mine if we intentionally choose to forgive.
Planting - Reaping - Forgiving

Each human eventually will reap the harvest of the life seeds each one plants.  God simply expects us to do the right thing, even when no one else is looking. If we let Him, God will  guide us in the hard choices. You and I  will then receive back a harvest of what is best.  This may mean cutting someone loose to be free to experience the consequences of their behavior ... even if the consequences are pain filled. Allowing them to live by their free choice will free you. In turn, the released ones, will learn a whole lot more from what happens to them, hopefully, than from anything you or I may say.

For example, in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, (Luke 15: 11-32,) The father, while being merciful and forgiving, had to painfully let his son "crash and burn" before God could get this son to a place where he, the son,  could get his life back. It may seem strange, but sometimes this is precisely how God brings a person to where they can actually be made free by God's love, mercy and forgiveness.

If I have learned anything,  since August 10, 2016,  it is that it's not your responsibility, nor is it mine, to control people. But it is clear that miracles can occur, and lives can change for the better, even eternally, as a result of the power of sharing forgiveness. Your forgiving others or my forgiving others may not change any circumstances, but forgiveness makes you and me more Christ like and free. In other words, when you and I forgive others, it changes you and me. Failure to forgive is not an option for anyone who wants to be forgiven by God. Choosing to not forgive will result in the unforgiving person answering to God. They do not answer to you and me. And God will do what is just and right no matter what.  Just ask the "Prodigal Son" whom God let wallow in a pigsty.
God Bless You In Your Forgiveness Journey

SoJourner

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