+ All Categories
Home > Documents > Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving...

Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving...

Date post: 14-Aug-2020
Category:
Upload: others
View: 0 times
Download: 0 times
Share this document with a friend
12
Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org 1 Be Free! When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free. - Catherine Ponder I've learned that when you have an argument with your spouse, the first one who says, 'I'm sorry I hurt your feelings; please forgive me,' is the winner. - from Live and Learn and Pass it On -age 51 Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D.
Transcript
Page 1: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

1

BeFree!Whenyouholdresentmenttowardanother,youareboundtothatpersonorconditionbyanemotionallinkthatisstrongerthansteel.Forgivenessistheonlywaytodissolvethatlinkandgetfree.

-CatherinePonder

I'velearnedthatwhenyouhaveanargumentwithyourspouse,thefirstonewhosays,'I'msorryIhurtyourfeelings;pleaseforgiveme,'isthewinner.

-fromLiveandLearnandPassitOn-age51

Dancing Through Life!

Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past.

- Thanks to Mike D.

Page 2: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

2

BeFree!

EachweekofourDancingThroughLifeprogramwefocusonadifferentlifestylehabitthatwillassistyouincontinuingtopursuegoodhealth.BeingAwareofyourfoods,thewayyouspendyourtime,when,howwhyandwhatyoueatandhowdifferentfoodsmakeyoufeelkeepyouontrackeatingfoodsforhealthnottomeetemotionalorsocialneeds.BeingEngagedintheactivitiesandprocessesoflifeisthemostimportantpartofLivingRichandavoidingafast-foodlifestyle.Beengagedinyourrelationships,yourwork,youractivities,yourfoodandyoureating–stopmulti-taskingtheminutesawayandtotallymissingoutonlife.

ThisweekwefocusonBeingFree.AmajorcontributortodiseaseinAmericaistheeffectonthebodyofresentment,whichleadstounforgiveness,whichleadstobitterness.TheBibleaddressesbitternessinseveralscripturepassagesstating,“bitternessrotsthebones,bitternessislikearootthatspringsupanddefilesmanypeople”.Thestressfrombitternesscausesheartdisease,depressionandmentalillnessandamyriadofotherhealthproblems.

Thefollowingexercisehasthepotentialtosetyoufreefromyearsandeventhehabitofresentment,bitternessandunforgivenessandactuallyrestoreyourjoyandpeace.Togetthemostoutofthisexercise:

1. ReadthroughthestoryandtheexerciseandaskGodtoopenyourheart.

2. Findaquietplacetodotheexercise,aplacewhereyoucanbefreetospeakoutloud,tothinkwithoutbeingbotheredandtoexpressemotionfreelyifitcomes.

3. Allowenoughtimetocompletetheexercise.Youmayhavemanyoffensesyouneedtoaddressandthismaytakemorethanonesession.Workthroughtheonethatisthefreshestandpainfulfirst,thengobackthroughtheothers.

4. Completetheentireexercise;don’tskipsteps.

HowOftenMustIForgiveMyBrother?

IntheBiblepassage,Matthew18:21-35,someoneaskedJesushowmanytimeshehadtoforgive.Jesusanswerwas70x7,forthesameoffence!Thatseemsimpossible.Intherestofthepassage,Jesustellsastoryofamanwhowasprobablyataxcollectorandwascalledbythekingtobringinthemoneyhecollected(probablyhundredsofthousandsofdollarsintodayseconomy).Themandidnothavethemoney(whichwouldindicateheusedithimself–embezzlement).Itwasaverylargesumsothekingorderedhimandhisfamilytobesoldintoslaverytopaythedebt.Themanbeggedformercyandthekingwassomovedwithcompassionheforgavenotonlytheactofnothavingthemoney(theft)butalsothedebtwasforgiven,hedidn’thavetopaythemoneyback!

Page 3: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

3

Jesusgoesontosaythatthissamemanwentoutandfoundoneofhisfriendswhoowedhimaverysmallamountofmoney,like$5.00.Hegrabbedthemanbythethroatanddemandedpayment.Whenhisfrienddidn’thavethemoneytopay,themanhadhisfriendthrowninprison!Hehadbeenforgivenamilliondollardebtandyetthrewhisfriendinprisonforameaslyfivebucks!Whenthekingheardofthishewasveryangry.Heputthemaninprisontobeworkedandtormenteduntiltheentiredebtwasrepaid.

Ilovethisstorybecauseitillustratesthetwoaspectsofforgiveness.Theactsdoneagainstusandthelossesincurredasaresultoftheacts.Theactinthisstorywasprobablyembezzlement.Thelosswasthelargeamountofmoney.Thekingforgavethemanboththeactandthelosses.Hedidn’tgetpunishedforstealingandhedidn’thavetopaythemoneyback,untilherefusedtoforgivehimself.

Manytimeswehaveactsdoneagainstusandasmatureadultswecanreasonoutwhysomeonewouldhurtorbetrayorevenrobusandforgivetheactdoneagainstus.Thedifficultpartislivingwiththelossthathappensasaresultofthoseacts,theday-to-daylosseskeepbringingupresentment,unforgivenessandbitterness.

Iexperiencedthisinmyownlifethroughmyparentsdivorce.Myfatherwasapastorandthespiritualheadofourfamily.WhenIwas30yearsoldmyfather’smoralfailureendedmyparentsmarriageandbroughtastormofconsequencestomyfamilyandmysiblings.AlthoughIwasabletoforgivemyfatherfortheactofadulteryanddivorce,thelossesweresoenumerableandoverwhelmingthatafter9yearsIfoundmyselfangryeverydayaboutsomethingrelatedtomyparentsdivorce.Thelosses.Mychildrendidn’thavegrandparents;Ididn’thaveparentsbecausemyparentswereintheprocessoftryingtorecoverfromtheirlosses.

Iwasteachingawomen’sBiblestudyandthelessonwasonforgiveness.Tobehonest,Iwasnotintoitatall,normallyIwouldbewellstudiedandoverpreparedtoteacheachweek,however,Ijustcouldn’tgetintothislesson.ThemorningofthelessonItriedtogetupearlytostudy.IwassoweakIcouldhardlyholdthehairdryertodrymyhair.IwaspuzzledbutjusttoldtheLord,“youwillhavetoteachthislessonbecauseIcan’t”andthathedid.AswereadMatthew18thetruthbegantounfoldaboutforgivingnotonlytheactbutalsothedebt,orthelosses.TheLorddirectedustomakealistoftheactsdoneagainstusandthelossesassociatedwiththoseacts.Justfromtheactofmyparent’sdivorceIhadtwoandahalfpages,withtwocolumnsperpage,oflossesandbelieveme,Ididn’thavetospendalotoftimethinkingaboutthem,theyjustpouredoutonthepages.

TheLordthendirectedustogoovereachactandlossandspeakforgivenessintothatsituation.Notoutofemotionorevenwholeheartedly,butoutofobediencetoHisword;Ididthiswiththeattitudeofobedienceakintopickingupmysocksoffthefloor,itneededtobedonesoIdidit.IdidnotFEELforgiving,IdidnotparticularlyWANTtodoit,butIdidit.

Page 4: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

4

WhenIstoodupfromthatstudytimeIwassuddenlycoveredinbloodfrommywaisttomymidthighs.Unknowntome,IhadtumorsinmyuterusthathadjustburstandIwashemorrhaging.TheyrushedmetothehospitalwhereIspentseveraldaysandthensentmehometorecoupbeforesurgery.ThefirstnightinthehospitalIwokeuptoseemyfathersittingatthefootofmybed.Ihadnotspentmuchtimewithhimovertheprevious9yrs.Hebeganpouringhisheartouttomeabouttheregretinhislife,notmakingexcusesbutjustregretoverhisdecisions.Ashespoke,myheartwasfilledwithforgivenessforhim.IlearnedthesecondprincipleGodhadformethatday,Firstcomesobedience,andthencomesfeelingsofjoy.

Mostofusthink,“WhenIFEELlikedoingsomething,thenIwillbesuccessful”.ThetruthisthatRIGHTACTIONbringsRIGHTTHINKING,whichbringsRIGHTFEELING.Thefeelingsaremanytimesthelastthingtocome,buttheydocome.

ThereisaspiritualdynamicthathappenswhenweareobedienttoGod,strongholdsarebroken.Thatdayastrongholdwasbrokeninmylifeandinthelifeofmyfamily.Within9months,myfathercalledameetingofourentirefamily,includingmymotherandrepentedandourfamilyrelationshipwasrenewed.Itisnotperfectasitcouldhavebeenwithoutdivorce,butthestrongholdofunforgivenessisnolongerthere.

Howdoesthisapplytoadetoxificationprogram?

Youaremosttoxicnotfromenvironmentalfactorsbutfromthetypesofprocessedfoodsyoufeedyourselfandtheunprocessedemotionsyoulivewithdaily.Emotionaltoxicityfromresentment,unforgivenessandtheresultingbitternesswillcontinuetodeteriorateyourhealthevenifyouremovefoodandenvironmentaltoxins.EVERYONEcarriesinjuriesfrombetrayals,woundsandattacks.

ThefollowingexercisewillhelpyoutoidentifytheACTSdoneagainstyouthathaveresultedinresentment,unforgivenessandbitternessANDtheresultinglosses.ThisexerciseisbasedcompletelyonthetruththatGod’sWord,TheBibleisourultimateauthorityandthatJesusChristisGod’sonlyson,Jesusdiedonthecrosstopayforoursin,thatwhenweacceptChrist’ssacrificeforoursinwebecomechildrenofGodandoursinisutterlywipedoutandforgiven.

Page 5: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

5

Exercise:UsethesheetonthenextpagetolisttheACTSdoneagainstyouandtheresultingLOSSES.

ExamplefromCeleste’slife:

ACTS LOSSESInjuries,wounds,betrayals,abuses Whathappenedasaresult

NMakeyour

ACTS LOSSES

My Dad had an affair w/ my mom’s best friend My dad divorced my mom My parents were self-absorbed in their own problems and no longer available as parents OR grandparents

I Lost faith in my dad’s integrity I lost my family home, holidays, security I lost my resources for parenting/marriage My children lost their grand parents I feared my marriage would end in divorce

Page 6: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

6

Thenextpartofthisexerciseismostimportant!Verballyextendingforgivenessforactsandlosses.Inthistimedon’tsay,Godpleasehelpmetoforgive,ormakemeforgiveorwordslikethat.GodwillhelpyoubutitisYOURCHOICEtoextendforgivenessandspeakitout.

Ifyouarefeelingoverwhelmedbythis,pleasedon’tgiveup!Let’stalkaboutit.Manypeoplefindthekeytoahugelifechangeinthisexercise.Youmayhavetoomuchtodoallatonce,startwiththefirstthing,thengotothenext.Onestepatatime.

GoThroughtheListofActsAfteryouhaveyourlistmade,gothrougheachactand,asanactofyourwill,notnecessarilybecauseyouFEELlikeit,say“Ichoosetoforgive______for_______________.”

NowGoThroughtheListofLossesThenaddresstheresultinglosseswiththesetypesofstatements:“Ichoosetoforgive___________fortheloss_________.

Praythrougheachactandeachloss.

Everytimethelossarises,youmayneedtomakethatstatementagain,eventuallytheywillnotrisewiththevengeancetheyhavehadinthepastandmayevencease.Ichooseforgive______________fortheloss__________.

TakingitFurther

InhisbookTotalForgivenessR.T.Kendallstates,

“theultimateproofoftotalforgivenesstakesplacewhenwesincerelypetitiontheFathertoletthosewhohavehurtusoffthehook-eveniftheyhavehurtnotonlyus,butalsothoseclosetous.”

JesusmodeledthisinHisprayeronthecrossLuke23:34“Fatherforgivethemfortheyknownotwhattheydo”.Isn’tthattruewiththosewhohurtus,orthosewhomwehurt,noonecanevertrulyknowtheimpactouractionshaveonothers.Evenwhentheintentionistohurtsomeoneelseinanevilway,suchasarapeormurder,theperpetratorhasnorealideaorknowledgeofhowdeeplytheyarewoundingothers.

RemembertheBiblepassagewestartedwith,Matthew18:21-35?ThiswasastorythatJesusHimselfwastelling;JesussaidthemanwhodidnotforgivewasturnedovertothetormentersuntileverythingHEowedwaspaidandJesusendedtheparablewiththesewords:“SoMyheavenlyFatherwilldotoyouifeachofyou,fromhisheart,doesnotforgivehisbrotheristrespasses”.I’vecertainlyexperiencedthetormentofunforgiveness,it’sa

Page 7: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

7

stenchthatisalwayswithyou,regardlessofhowyoutrytocoveritupormakeitlookbetter,itisalwaystheremakingitselfknown.

TheFinalStep

ReleasethepersonfromowingyouanythingandaskGodtoblessthem.

JesustellsusinMatthew5:43-48

43“Youhaveheardthelawthatsays,‘Loveyourneighborandhateyourenemy.44ButIsay,loveyourenemies!Prayforthosewhopersecuteyou!45Inthatway,youwillbeactingastruechildrenofyourFatherinheaven.Forhegiveshissunlighttoboththeevilandthegood,andhesendsrainonthejustandtheunjustalike.46Ifyouloveonlythosewholoveyou,whatrewardisthereforthat?Evencorrupttaxcollectorsdothatmuch.47Ifyouarekindonlytoyourfriends,howareyoudifferentfromanyoneelse?Evenpagansdothat.48Butyouaretobeperfect,evenasyourFatherinheavenisperfect.

PuttingitintoWordsHeavenlyFather,Ibring________________________toyou,Ihaveforgivenboththeacts_____________________havedoneagainstmeandthelossesIcontinuallyincurasaresultofthoseacts.Iherebycancelanydebt__________________________owesme,whetheritisadebtofwords,admissionofguilt,ofpossessions,ofpersonalrestorationofanykind,______________________nolongerowesmeanything,Ireceivefullreimbursementfromyou,Father,howeveryouchoosetogiveit.Ialsoaskyoutorichlybless__________________,meettheireveryneedandpouroutyourloveandforgivenessoverthem.AsyourchildIaskyoutoforgive_________________________andrestorethemtoyourself.InJesusName,Amen.

HaveYouForgivenYourself?Severalweeksaftercompletingthisexerciseoneclientrealizedshecarriedalotofangerandhadformanyyears.Thisexerciseshowedherthatmostofherangerwastowardsherself.Ifshehadjust…………NoticeJesussaidthemanwasturnedovertothetormentoruntileverythingHEOWED(theonewhodidnotforgive)waspaid.Canyouimaginetheselfcondemnationyouwouldlivewithdailyifyouwerethisman?Hehadbeencompletelyforgivenofthedebtandtheactshehaddoneagainsttheking.Then,forthepriceofaStarbuckscoffee,hegothimselfandhisfamilythrownintoaworkcamp,wheretheywerealsotormented,untilthisenormousdebt.Whataloadtocarry.Thisspeakstoanotherdifficulty,ForgivingYourself.Thegreatesttormentisnot-knowingwhatsomeoneelsedidtous,butratherknowingthesinfulreactionswesowedasaresult.

Manypeoplefindthatforgivingthemselvesisthemostdifficultpartofreleasingresentment,bitternessandunforgiveness.Infact,theinabilitytoforgiveoneselfoften

Page 8: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

8

preventsusfromextendingforgivenesstoothers.JesushadsomethingtosayaboutthataswellinLuke6:37,R.T.Kendallsayshepraysthisforhimselfonadailybasis.

“37“Donotjudge,andyouwillnotbejudged.Donotcondemn,andyouwillnotbecondemned.Forgive,andyouwillbeforgiven.38Give,anditwillbegiventoyou.Agoodmeasure,presseddown,shakentogetherandrunningover,willbepouredintoyourlap.Forwiththemeasureyouuse,itwillbemeasuredtoyou.”

Ihavehadabrokenrelationshipwithanotherfamilymemberfortwelveyears.Myattemptstorepairthatrelationshiphavebeenrejectedanumberoftimesandagaininthepastyear.WhenItriedtomakerepairsthroughalettertheresponseIreceivedwasImustadmitmy“wrongdoing”.ThiswasaninterestingresponsebecauseIhonestlydidnotknowwhatIhaddonewrong.TheLordwasfaithfultorevealtomethatmygreatestwrongwashavingarelationshipwiththispersonthatwasbasedonexcludingothers,judgingothersandspeakingevilagainstothersinouryouth.Icouldhardlyadmitthatasmywrongdoingtothisindividualandexpectreconciliation,buttherealizationthatatwenty-sevenyearrelationshipwasbuiltonthesethingsoverwhelmedmewithasenseofguilt.IhadtoasktheLordtoforgivemeforthisuglyandhorribleattitudeIfosteredandactuallyloved.Theuglinessofthisattitudegavemeanewsenseofself-loathingandguilt.IhadtocometogripswithatruthIhaveknownformanyyears.

It’snotmyjobtoforgivemyself.ItismyjobtoaccepttheforgivenessprovidedformethroughJesusdeathonthecross,thatisitplainandsimple,acceptChrist’sforgivenessandknowthatonlyHISbloodcancovermysin.Ican’tpayanysortofpenancetopayformysin,Jesusdidit,Imusthumblemyselfandreceivehisgiftofforgiveness.

1John1:8-9saysitverysimply:

8Ifweclaimtobewithoutsin,wedeceiveourselvesandthetruthisnotinus.9Ifweconfessoursins,heisfaithfulandjustandwillforgiveusoursinsandpurifyusfromallunrighteousness.

WemustAcceptJesusForgiveness.IhadtoadmittoGodthatIhadanuglyandsinfulattitudeinmyrelationshipwiththisperson,confessmysintohimaskHISforgivenessandthenRECEIVEHISforgivenessascompletepayment.

PuttingItIntoWords

Praythisorsomethinglikeitinyourownwordstobefullyfree:

HeavenlyFather,Icometoyouasabroken,humble,guiltysinner.Ihavedonemanythingsinthepowerofmyflesh,manythingstosatisfymyowndesiresandmanythingstodishonoryouandotherpeople.SpecificallyFatherIfeelverysorryandguiltyfor______________________________andIaskyoutoforgivemeforboththeactthatIhavedoneagainstyouand_______________________________andthelosseswehaveallincurredasaresultofthoseacts.

Page 9: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

9

FatherGod,IreceivetheforgivenessprovidedformebyJesusdeathonthecross.IaskyoutocoverthissinandallmysinwiththebloodofJesus,andtopurifymyheart,mymindandmylifefromALLinjusticeandunfairness,forgivemeforcrossingthelineofloveandbringingharmtoothers,forgivemeformyrebellionagainstyouandauthorityyouhaveplacedovermeandfinallyFather,forgivemeformyshortcomingsasahumanbeing,forthetimeswhenIreverttowalkinginthefleshandnotinthespirit.

IreceivethebloodofJesustocoverallformsofsinandfailureinmylife.IrenouncethespiritoffearandprideandsaythattheyaretogofrommylifeinthenameofJesusandbythepowerofHisbloodandtheyarenottoreturn.Yourwordstatesin2Timothy1:7that “God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind”. Today and from this day forward I receive YOUR POWER, YOUR LOVE and a SOUND MIND directed by YOUR SPIRIT.

IaskyouFatherinheaventopourintomyheartandmindthesamespirityoupouredintoJesus,Isaiah11:2,“TheSpiritoftheLORDwillrestonHim,Thespiritofwisdomandunderstanding,Thespiritofcounselandstrength,ThespiritofknowledgeandthefearoftheLORD.” Heavenly Father, Today I enter into covenant with you. I receive my new identity as a much-loved child of God and a grateful follower of Jesus Christ. I give you my identity as a fearful, prideful, broken person and I receive YOUR identity as a much-loved child of God, the King of the Universe. I receive you as the Authority in my life. I give you authority in my life and the lives of those who I lead. I have no authority in my human flesh but I receive the authority of the blood of Jesus and the living Word of God to cleanse, repair and reconcile others and myself to God, my Father. I receive you as my Protector. I give you my inability to protect myself and I put myself into your hands as my protector. Protect me from the deceitfulness of sin, of my own heart, of the destroyer, Satan, the world and ungodly people. I receive you as my Provider. I give you my inability to provide for myself. I believe you when you say in your Word in Philippians 4:19 that YOU will provide ALL my needs according to your riches and not my resources. I receive your riches and possessions. I give you my desires for the things of this world. I ask you to release me from all forms of darkness in my life. I ask you to give me the desire to be possessed with and compelled by the Love of Christ

I ask this and receive it in the name of Jesus, your son. Amen.

Ifyouchoosetodothisexercisetogainfreedomfromresentment,unforgivenessandbitternessyouwillseesomeamazingthingshappeninyourlife!Asacovenantpartner

Page 10: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

10

withGodthroughJesuswehavehimwatchingourback.Callonhimdailyforyourself,yourfamily,yourwork,yourlifeandyougiveyourselftowatchingoutforGod’sbestinterest.

ANote:Everypersonwhogoesthroughthisprogramfeelsthisisanimportantstepsome,however,arereluctanttodothisstepbecauseoffear.Theyhaveputtheir“list”intheclosetoftheirheartforsolongtheydon’twanttotakeitout,theywouldprefertoforgetit.Theproblemis,whileputaway,thesethingsarenotforgottenandtheywreakhavoconourbodies.Withoutexception,everypersonwhohasdonethisexercisehasexperiencedahugeamountoffreedom,peaceandhealingastheyhavecompletedit.

Myclientswhodonotdothisexercisehavelaterrealizedtheirhealthprogressis“stuck”atthispointandeventuallydecidetocompleteitwithlotsofloveandencouragement.

WedonothavetodoANYTHINGbyourselves.TheBibletellsusthatJesusisalwaysrightbesideusandHISforgivenessisreadilyavailabletouswhenweaskforit.

BringOntheDessert!Oneofthebestpartsofthisexerciseisrestoration.Goddoesnotaskustoforgiveandforgetandjustdealwithit.Hepromisesrestoration.Whathegives,asamazingandimpossibleasitmayseem,isalwaysbetterthanwhatwearehangingonto!

Someclientsgethungupontherestorationpart.Theydon’twanttoordon’tfeelsaferestoringthebrokenrelationship.ThatisnotnecessarilywhatweareaskingGodtorestore.WhatweareaskinghimtorestorearetheLOSSES.Therestorationoflossesmayormaynotcomeinrestoringthebrokenrelationships.Somerelationshipsshouldnothavebeenandthereforedonotneedrestoration.Otherrelationships,liketheoneImentionedinmyownlife,werebuiltonungodlyprinciplesandneedtoberenewed,notrestored.

Thethingtorememberis,itisourjobtobeobedientandforgive.ItisGod’sjobtorestore.WHATEVERandHOWEVERherestoreswillbebetterthanwecanimagineanditwillbringjoyandprovisionnotmorepain.

IntheBibleinthebookofJoel,chapter2GodtellsuswhatHeisableandwillingtorestore.

Joel2:25-27says“Iwillrestoretoyoutheyearsthelocusthaseaten,thecankerworm,thecaterpillar,thepalmerworm,thegreatarmywhichIsentamongyou.Andyouwilleatinplentyandbesatisfied,andpraisethenameoftheLordyourGodthathathdealtwondrouslywithyou:andmypeopleshallneverbeashamed.AndyoushallknowthatIaminyourmidstandthatIamtheLordyourGodandnoneelse:andmypeopleshallneverbeashamed.”

Whatdoesthispromise?Thewormsthatarelistedinthispassagearethedevelopmentalstagesoflocust.Whenthereisalocustplaguetheycomeinstages.

Page 11: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

11

Thefirststageoflocustcomesintoafieldofgrainwhenitisreadyforharvestanditshearsofftheheadsofgrain.Soundfamiliar?Itseemsasthoughsomeofthegreatestoffensesinourlivescomeatourmostfertiletimes,robbingusoftherewardsofourlabor.

Thenextstageofdestructionhappenswhenthechewinglocustcome,theygothroughafieldandtaketheremainingstalksdowntotheground,asiftherewerenothinggrowinginthefirstplace.

Thefinalstageofutterdestructionistheburrowinglocuststhatgoesintothesoilanddestroytheroot.Thisisespeciallydestructiveincropslikealfalfathatdon’thavetobereplantedforsixyears.

ThisBibleillustrationisapictureoftotal,irreparabledestructionandyetGodsayseventhoseyearsofdestruction,ateverylevelpossible,canandwillberestoredbyGodhimself.ThewordLordinthispassageisthewordfortheHebrewJehovah,whichmeansSelfExistentOne.

TheSelfExistentOne….YourGod.ThatisamuchbetterresourcethantheAmericaneconomyorarelationshipwithapersonwhohaslimitedresources.Godhasnoboundaryonresources.Nomatterwhatyourlossesare,hewillrestorenotonlythelossesbutalsotheyearsandyouwilleatinplentyandbesatisfiedandtherewillbenoshameattachedtoyourlife!

Theamazingpartisallwehavetodoisletgoofourself-willandourownunforgiveness.Wedon’thavetoworkupanykindofmagicformula,doanychants,payanymoneyordoanykindofgoodworks.AllHeasksustodoisreceiveHisloveandputourselvesintothehandsofthelovingcreatoroftheuniverse.

Whereelsecanyougetsuchrestoration?AskGodforrestoration:Youhaveextendedforgivenessforactsandlossesdoneagainstyou.NowgobackoverthoselossesandaskGodtorestorethemHisway.ItisevenOKtotellhimyouaren’ttoosureaboutallthisandyoumayhavesomeangeraboutyourpast.TellHimyouwanttobelievebutarehavingahardtimebelieving.AskHimtoopenyoureyessoyoucanseetherestorationasithappensandwhenitdoeshappen………………….BeJoyful!BeThankful!BeFree!

PutitintoWordsHeavenlyFather,Iwillcontinuetobeobedientandwalkinforgiveness.Youknowtheutterdestructioninmylife,especiallyrelatedto__________________________________.TodayIaskforandreceivethekindofrestorationyoutalkaboutinyourWordinJoel2.Ireceivebacktheyearsthathavebeenlost,howeveryouchoosetogivethem.Ireceivetheabilitytoeatinplentyandbesatisfied.Iwillnolongerallowacriticalorboastfulspiritorattitude.Iwillnolongerwalkthroughlifeinshame;Iamnowclean,pureandforgiven.IbelievethatYouarewithmeandIamnotaloneandIwillpraiseyoudailyforyourpresenceinmylife.InJesusName,Amen.

Page 12: Dancing Through Life! - The Wellness Workshop€¦ · Dancing Through Life! Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past. - Thanks to Mike D. Celeste Davis, The Wellness

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

12

PraisetheLordforthefreedomyounowfeel.JesusinJohn16:3333“Ihavetoldyouthesethings,sothatinmeyoumayhavepeace.Inthisworldyouwillhavetrouble.Buttakeheart!Ihaveovercometheworld.”Youwillencounteroffensesfromothersmanytimesinyourlifeandyoumayhaveacontinuallossfromsomeoftheactsdoneagainstyou.Whetheroffensesorlossesareoldornew,whentheyarise,quicklyforgiveboththeactandtheloss;asktheFathertoforgivethepeopleinvolvedandaskGodtoblessthemandgiveyouHisloveforthem.ItispossibletoBeJoyful,BeThankfulandBeFree.


Recommended