I'm Sorry
Several months ago the Lord gave me the idea for this post on the two most powerful words we can say. I have tried to post about this a couple of time since then but the time has not been right. Today though is that time, as I have something to ask of you.
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23, 24 NKJV
I want to say - I'm sorry. I have been tied up with a work project that has demanded all my time and energy and I have not been able to write anything for you. If you are not a regular follower this may not mean anything to you but for those of you who do follow this blog and have told me of the help and encouragement you get from it know that this apology is from my heart. It is an honor and a privilege to do write for God to assist you and I do not take this responsibility lightly. So again, I say I'm sorry for not keeping up these last couple of weeks.
The two words "I'm sorry" have tremendous power. They can bring healing and restoration to hurting hearts like nothing else. When received, they can open doors for growth and help develop integrity. They are the salve to ease the pain of open emotional wounds and the repairers of breaches in broken and distant relationships.
Jesus promises to forgive our every sin if we confess it and that means laying aside our pride and accepting the responsibility for what we have said and done. I call it "eating humble pie" and I have had to eat a lot of it. It is not my favorite dessert nor is it easy to swallow but it keeps relationships healthy and it serves as a reminder of how much I really need Jesus' help everyday. I have even gone through seasons where I was eating humble pie every day. Not fun but oh so worth it!
I have learned that even when the other person does not accept my apology, I can walk away with peace in my heart and right standing with God because I have done what He required of me. I am not responsible for the other persons feelings, actions, or words. I am only responsible for myself so for that reason alone, I refuse to let their refusal of my apology create any further discord.
We are not asked to say sorry just for the benefit of the other person. Saying sorry (and meaning it) is most beneficial to us. When I apologize to some one I am doing the right thing in God's eyes and I become a reflection of Jesus through humility. We can find all kinds of excuses and reasons as to why we should not be the ones to apologize but really, they do not move God nor do they bring Him glory. Any time we say or do something that we know is not right and especially if the other person is not aware of the issue, our refusal to ask for forgiveness creates a wedge between us and that person as well as us and God.
It is never too late to say I'm sorry. If you know you have done something wrong instead of trying to hide it or ignore it, acknowledge it's presence and remove it's weight from your shoulders by apologizing - even if it happened many years ago.
I once had to acknowledge a relationship breaking sin to someone and I waited almost two years to do it. By the grace of God my apology was accepted but the pain I caused the other person took a long time to heal. That was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do but I knew that if I did not acknowledge my actions that the relationship I had with that person and the one I had with God would not grow or thrive.
Hidden sin will always keep us chained in a mess of frustration, agony, and brokenness. If you know you owe someone an apology, I beg you to wait no longer.
God's mercy is ours when we say, "I'm sorry."
Heidirn
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23, 24 NKJV
I want to say - I'm sorry. I have been tied up with a work project that has demanded all my time and energy and I have not been able to write anything for you. If you are not a regular follower this may not mean anything to you but for those of you who do follow this blog and have told me of the help and encouragement you get from it know that this apology is from my heart. It is an honor and a privilege to do write for God to assist you and I do not take this responsibility lightly. So again, I say I'm sorry for not keeping up these last couple of weeks.
The two words "I'm sorry" have tremendous power. They can bring healing and restoration to hurting hearts like nothing else. When received, they can open doors for growth and help develop integrity. They are the salve to ease the pain of open emotional wounds and the repairers of breaches in broken and distant relationships.
Jesus promises to forgive our every sin if we confess it and that means laying aside our pride and accepting the responsibility for what we have said and done. I call it "eating humble pie" and I have had to eat a lot of it. It is not my favorite dessert nor is it easy to swallow but it keeps relationships healthy and it serves as a reminder of how much I really need Jesus' help everyday. I have even gone through seasons where I was eating humble pie every day. Not fun but oh so worth it!
I have learned that even when the other person does not accept my apology, I can walk away with peace in my heart and right standing with God because I have done what He required of me. I am not responsible for the other persons feelings, actions, or words. I am only responsible for myself so for that reason alone, I refuse to let their refusal of my apology create any further discord.
We are not asked to say sorry just for the benefit of the other person. Saying sorry (and meaning it) is most beneficial to us. When I apologize to some one I am doing the right thing in God's eyes and I become a reflection of Jesus through humility. We can find all kinds of excuses and reasons as to why we should not be the ones to apologize but really, they do not move God nor do they bring Him glory. Any time we say or do something that we know is not right and especially if the other person is not aware of the issue, our refusal to ask for forgiveness creates a wedge between us and that person as well as us and God.
It is never too late to say I'm sorry. If you know you have done something wrong instead of trying to hide it or ignore it, acknowledge it's presence and remove it's weight from your shoulders by apologizing - even if it happened many years ago.
I once had to acknowledge a relationship breaking sin to someone and I waited almost two years to do it. By the grace of God my apology was accepted but the pain I caused the other person took a long time to heal. That was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do but I knew that if I did not acknowledge my actions that the relationship I had with that person and the one I had with God would not grow or thrive.
Hidden sin will always keep us chained in a mess of frustration, agony, and brokenness. If you know you owe someone an apology, I beg you to wait no longer.
God's mercy is ours when we say, "I'm sorry."
Heidirn
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