Perhaps we beg and plead, or command and demand, for what is already rightfully ours; when we could be moving mountains, if only we didn't place more than a grain of faith in our part.

Maybe we are not ready to jump spiritual hurdles. Though, we might try starting where we are, watching for God.

When attacks come, it is quite helpful to remember that it is a lie. The fear element of situation will always be based upon a lie.

Immediately, begin seeking God for needed truth that will overcome this particular warfare. As truth is revealed, light replaces darkness and Satan flees. Oh, what relief!

Once we begin experiencing that relief, we will want to pick up our Bible and look further. There are promises and provisions given, all over, to let us know our rightful place with God!

What an awesome provision God has given! Truth: a victorious weapon against spiritual warfare! It sets us free!

And, once we experience such freedom, we begin to realize and finally 'know' that all things work together for our good (to us that love God, to us who are called), according to his purpose; no exceptions.

Isn't it about time we get to 'know' God?

© 2004 by Joyce C. Lock

(For weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. II Corinthians 10:4-6

This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.

No matter how “mature” you are, when someone shoves you out of line in grocery, or butts ahead of you, you’ll get angry. Your territory has been invaded. It’s an instinct.

Are you justified in getting disgusted at an unsanitary and smelly toilet? Are you justified in getting angry when someone butts in line in front of you?

Our emotions are always justified; if not to others, we can rationalize them to ourselves. However, what we think about it doesn’t matter. Our emotions just are. THEY don’t care if they’re “right” or “wrong.” Until we learn to accept them, live with them, and not necessarily act on them or even verbalize them, we will be in conflict this way.

Now we come to forgiveness. Most of us have one or more things lurking around we can’t forgive someone for doing to us. In some cases it could go way back, like a mother who favored another sibling, or a father who committed incest. It could also have just happened – a neighbor who was rude to you on phone, or a manager who gave you a bad performance review.

You are angry. You say things like, “How could they do this to me?” and “How could she talk to me that way?” and “What he did was not just wrong, but egregiously wrong, and I cannot forgive him. Ever.” (egregious = conspicuous, beyond pale, apart from herd, flagrant).

And you’re absolutely right to be angry. What was done may be inexcusable. But in last analysis, it isn’t whether they deserve to be forgiven, it’s whether you want to go on living with that knot in your stomach, or ulcers, or fibromyalgia, or compromised immune system, or lashing out at others over small things.

Forgiving someone else is something you do for yourself. Forgiving or not forgiving them will not make one iota of difference in what occurred, or what might happen in future, but it will free up tremendous energy and allow you to get on with your life.

If that louse you were married to did awful things, why would you allow this to live in your head for years, poisoning your other relationships, draining you and making you bitter and hostile, so no one wants to be around you and you can’t stand yourself either? Why would you do this to yourself, after he did that to you?

Be good to yourself, even when others aren’t. Especially when others aren’t. Be totally selfish about being good to yourself. As Doc Chidre said, “Forgiving releases you from punishment of a self-made prison where you are both inmate and jailer.”

“You can’t hold a man down without staying down with him,” wrote Booker T. Washington, and you can’t hate someone, or hold a grudge, without staying right there with it, living it every minute just as if it were still going on.

Forgive! It’s emotionally intelligent thing to do. If you have trouble with this concept, call an EQ coach. You deserve it.