Overcoming the Impossible

What offenses can be forgiven and what cannot? Some people put limitations on forgiveness – especially for offenders whose offense was so devastating, insulting and vile it appears there is no way to purge the anger and grief from their heart and soul. While recovery may not appear possible, with God, the impossible can be overcome.

 

For those who trust in Christ Jesus, it's difficult to envision a situation where forgiveness would seem impossible. I heard a story about a young man who was raped in prison and forced to participate as a homosexual for the duration of his imprisonment. The message of the story was that we out here do not want to know the details of such offenses.

Do we ever forget an offense? Given the right stimulus, our memory can recreate events that severely wounded us. Yet God promises to heal devastating wounds, so when we remember the offense, the pain begins to diminish as God heals our heart and soul. Give God thanksgiving and praise for that blessing.  

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“Stay alert! I am God, the God of everything living. Is there anything I cannot do?”

~Jeremiah 32:27 The Message

Jesus said to the disciples…Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you have it; it’s yours! But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too.”

~Mark 11:24-25 The Living Bible

For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.

~Philippians 4:13 The Living Bible

Mountains of Fear & Doubt

          

When Jacob heard the news that Simeon, another son, might be lost forever, he was heartbroken. Listen to the grief he expressed to his older sons. "You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is dead, and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin? Everything is against me."

Joseph was not dead, however. He was a powerful governor in Egypt. His objective was to unite his family, but he could not reveal his identity. For Joseph to carry out his plan, he had accused these brothers of being spies and detained Simeon as security so that they would return with Benjamin, his younger full-brother. These older brothers were beyond being trusted.

Listen to Jacob’s anger and fear. "Benjamin will not go to Egypt. Joseph is dead, and Benjamin is the only one left. If harm comes to him, in sorrow I will go down to the grave.” Have you experienced such fear and grief? You may feel God is not working for you, yet God’s love and mercy are greater than your fears and doubts. Ask Him for patience and faith. 

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Blessed be the Lord and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father and the all-comforting God, who comforts me in every sorrow I have, so that I can comfort people who are in sorrow with the comfort with which I am comforted by God.

~2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love. The Lord is good to everyone; His compassion rests on all He has made.

~Psalm 145:8-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible