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“I just cannot believe it.” I fumed. “I cannot believe they are doing this after all we do for them. Here they are in our house all the time, and they have the nerve to...” And so my thought process continued for days. I seemed to be just stuck in my anger and couldn’t break out of it.
Some friends of ours, who were regulars in our home, had asked us to pay for something of theirs that was damaged while they were visiting us. The reason I was angry was that they were responsible for the damage. It just happened at our house. I just couldn’t get it off my heart or out of my mind. And so I seethed and prayed.
“Lord, will you please just help me with this anger. Lord I can’t get over their selfish demand. I am really struggling with this. Help me Lord.” And so my prayer went for several days.
As I was stopped at a red light while out driving, the sunlight warming my arm as it rested on the door out the open window, I was still stewing and praying over my little vexation. All of a sudden, I felt as if a hand touched my arm, and the Lord ‘spoke’ in my spirit.
“Will you just let this go?! Haven’t you been forgiven so much more than $20? Don’t you see your own pride and self-righteousness and your own selfishness in your indignation? Just get out of your own way. Just forgive and let it go!”
I immediately felt free of the anger and filled with remorse over my own selfish, prideful attitude. I cried with joy and appreciation for the forgiveness I have received which I was taking for granted, moved that God would so vividly impress on my heart the truth that I needed to embrace. I could now get out of my own way and just let it go.
Wouldn’t we all be much better off if we just let grace wash over those offenses in which we feel justified in being offended? If we would then learn to just let those things go and forgive by God’s grace, we would just have so much more peace and contentment.
I think just about anyone could agree that we just get just too offended by just too many perceived injustices. Just let 'em go and move on. They just don’t matter enough to rob you of your joy.
Just sayin.’
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| A to Z Challenge |
My post is on Just as well! How interesting--although mine isn't quite so gracious as yours. :) I am glad you were able to let it go. Friends are hard to come by. Happy J Day!
ReplyDeletetm
Hey Zoe. I enjoyed your post also. Yes it is a blessing to let things go. Glad we are becoming friends as well. God bless, Maria
DeleteA great example of the word Just. I myself am going through family issues I find unJUST so can feel what you are going through.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Yvonne. I so appreciate your encouragement. I hope you are able to work through those issues and let them go as well. Tough, but worth it. God bless, Maria
DeleteMaria, I am really enjoying your posts in this series! This is a great one. Just letting things go is so hard sometimes!
ReplyDeleteAw. Thanks Danielle. Prayer and friends who help you grow in the right direction helps. God bless, Maria
DeleteJust stopping by from the A-Z Challenge list to say "Hi"
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed this post honey.
Good luck with the rest of the challenge :)
xx
Thanks for stopping by Vikki. A to Z has been a great way to meet new friends and find a hold new world for me. God bless, Maria
DeleteThis is probably the most wise and beautiful post I have read in a very long time.
ReplyDeleteJust sayin ;)
Well thank you Jen. I really appreciate that especially from one who has so many wonderful things to share. God bless, Maria
DeleteI am always ready for a nap. I *just* went through my story and took out all the *justs* during my editing process.
ReplyDeleteJenn @Scribbles From Jenn
Hahaha! I don't know if that was the inspiration I intended, but I am glad that I provoked some thought in your writing. Thanks for stopping by, Jenn. God bless, Maria
DeleteGreat "J" post! New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.
ReplyDeleteSylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
Thanks Sylvia, I appreciate you stopping by. Gotta love the discovery in A to Z. Thank you, Arlee! I'll look forward to visiting your blog as well. God bless, Maria
DeleteMaria,
ReplyDeleteJust marvelous. Delightful and inspiring post on "Just".
Here's a notion you can take to heart -- If you loan a guy $20.00 and you never see him again, wasn't it kind of worth it?
Thanks for your many kind comments on all my posts. You're very sweet.
I love it. As always Michael, You have a humorous yet insightful thought to add. I appreciate you stopping by. God bless, Maria
Deleteit's funny how often we use this word, isn't it? I wrote about 'just' last year during the a-z. Here's the link, if you'd like to see it: http://adventuresintheballpark.blogspot.com/2012/04/just-another-letter.html.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to respond to your comments in my email, but they didn't connect me to your blog, so I'm happy to get a comment from you again. Thanks for coming by the ballpark so often! I may have already commented that I love connecting w/ other believers in the blogging world.
Yep, if we could just continually give God our worries/issues, peace would be more easily acquired. I'm so glad we are JUSTified in HIM. :-)
from The Dugout
Thanks Mare. I will check it out. Amen. I am grateful for His provision. God bless, Maria
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