Saturday, 21st September, 2024
Bible Reading: Matthew 18: 21-35, Isaiah 53:4a (AMP)
Memory Verse: Cast your burden on the LORD [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail). Psalm 55:22 (AMP)
Clara had always been a bright light, full of laughter and a zest for life. But that light dimmed considerably after years of emotional abuse by her father. His constant criticism and belittling chipped away her self-esteem, leaving her feeling worthless and afraid. Even after leaving home, the trauma lingered.
Nightmares plagued her sleep, and flashbacks ambushed her during the day. Anger, like a festering wound, resided deep within her. One evening, overwhelmed by the weight of the past, Clara stumbled into a small church. The quiet solace of the space offered a temporary refuge. As she sat in a pew, tears streamed down her face. It was there she met a kind-eyed priest known for his gentle wisdom. Hesitantly, Clara poured out her story, the words raw and heavy.
He listened patiently, his presence a source of unexpected comfort. He spoke of Jesus Christ’s teachings on forgiveness, not as a way of condoning the abuser’s actions, but as a way to release oneself from the burden of anger. He explained how Jesus, on the cross, endured unimaginable sufferings yet offered forgiveness to his tormentors. The concept was difficult for Clara to grasp. How could she forgive someone who had caused so much pain? The Priest didn’t pressure her. He simply offered guidance and support.
He suggested reading from the Bible, particularly the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant [Matthew 18: 21-35], which highlighted the importance of letting go of resentment. Slowly, with faith and effort, Clara began to see forgiveness not as a gift to her abuser, but as a gift to herself. She understood that clinging to anger only prolonged her suffering.
Through prayer, she found solace in the belief that Jesus understood her pain and offered her strength. The road to healing was long and arduous. There were setbacks, moments of doubt and anger. But with each step, Clara felt a little lighter. She began attending a support group for abuse survivors, finding solace in shared experiences and the understanding of others. It wasn’t about forgetting the abuse. It was about acknowledging it, grieving its impact, and choosing not to let it define her.
The forgiveness wasn’t immediate or complete, but with time and faith, Clara began to find peace. The smiles returned to her face, not as carefree like before, but with a newfound depth and resilience. The light within her began to burn brightly, a testament to her courage and the unwavering love she found in her faith.
Now to you: Have you been abused in anyway – physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually, or financially, etc? Write out 10 steps from today’s devotional on how you can regain your total freedom.
Quote:
I. Don’t judge yourself by what others did to you – C. Kennedy, Ómorphi
II. When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower – Alexander Den Heijer.
Prophetic Decree: Receive grace to convert your mess to a message, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Grip of my torturous past, break over my heart, in Jesus name.
2. I receive grace to hand over my abusive past to Jesus.
3. Oil of forgiveness, overwhelm my heart, in Jesus name.
4. Let the Blood of Jesus that speaks better things than my past wash away my grieve and struggles in Jesus name.
5. Holy Spirit, help me to understand and see forgiveness as a gift to myself and not to my abusers, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Zechariah 5-9