From Fear To Forgiveness

The sharing of this wonderful article has been inspired by the following scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

20 Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning].

21 But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.

1 Corinthians 1:12-13

¹² What I mean is this, that each one of you [either] says, I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollos, or I belong to Cephas (Peter), or I belong to Christ.

¹³ Is Christ (the Messiah) divided into parts? Was Paul crucified on behalf of you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 3:4-9

⁴For when one says, I belong to Paul, and another, I belong to Apollos, are you not [proving yourselves] ordinary (unchanged) men?

⁵ What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Ministering servants [not heads of parties] through whom you believed, even as the Lord appointed to each his task:

⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase.

⁷ So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater.

⁸ He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor.

⁹ For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God's garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God's building.

The Article

How I found freedom by confronting my past

Note: The article is extracted from Joyce Meyer's "Enjoying Everyday Life" magazine [March/April 2012 issue). Be a partner with Joyce Meyer's Ministries and receive a copy on a regular basis.

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NB: We are not affiliated with Joyce Meyer Ministries. We are sharing what we find beneficial.

I was approximately 45 years old and still suffering from the painful abuse I experienced as a child when I felt an unquestionable urge to confront my dad. God was showing me that facing my abuser was the only way to break the cycle of fear in my life. It was extremely hard for me to do because I knew I would experience his anger again, and I did. But I also accomplished what God was leading me to do. And it helped me break free. We must always do the part God leads us to do, no matter how the other party reacts. Most of you reading this aren't dealing with the kind of person I'm talking about, but you do encounter angry people in your life, and some of you are in relationship with someone who is angry. Because an angry man dictated my life for so many years, I was angry myself and vented my anger through my words and attitudes. My anger manifested frequently when things didn't go the way I wanted them to go. I was wrong, and I needed godly confrontation. One of the best things my husband, Dave, did for me was not allow my anger to make him unhappy. I believe one of the best things you can do for an angry person is to show them by example that there is a better way to live and behave.

Be An Example To Hurting People

Because I had never lived in an atmosphere where stability existed, I didn't know what it looked like. Dave was an example of stability to me, and that was extremely important. Had he merely told me to stop being angry and responded to my anger with anger of his own, I don't think I would have ever changed. As they say, "Two wrongs don't make a right."

According to God's Word, we are not to confront anger with anger, evil with evil, or insult with insult. 1 Peter 3:9 says, Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God - - that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].

I am well aware that doing this is more difficult than reading about it, but anything God asks us to do, He will give us the strength to do if we are willing to be obedient to Him. God does not have the solution to any problem you have, and His ways always work if we cooperate with Him.

I believe with all my heart that Dave's example to me was what caused me to want to change. he was firm with me, but never let me steal his joy.

He let me know that if I wanted to be unhappy that was up to me, but he was going to be happy whether I was or not. He was consistent for a long period of time, and I finally realized that I was missing a lot in life and I needed to change.

Nobody can change until they want to, so if you try to change people in your life yourself, it will only frustrate you. Only God changes people from the inside out and He does it in His timing. So pray for the people you know who struggle with anger to let God work in their life, and be an example of peace and stability to them!

Don't Let Hurting People Make You Unhappy

When I say at my conference that we should not let someone else's attitude determine our level of joy, I always get an amazing response. I can see from the audience's faces that some of them have done that without even realizing they had another chance.

Can we really be joyful when other people we are around are angry and unhappy? Yes, we can if we set our mind to do so. And once again, I want to stress that I believe this is the best thing we can do for the angry person.

Just maintain a calm delight in their presence. Assure them that you love them and want them to be happy, but you are not going to let their decisions dictate your quality of life. In other words, don't become codependent of someone else's behavior.

Partner With God To Make A Way

Don't give up hope for angry people in your life. They obviously have a bondage, a hurt or something wrong in their past causing anger. Pray and continue to pray that they will see the truth and begin to walk in the light.

Matthew 7:7 says, Keep on asking and it will be given to you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.

I have seen amazing changes in people through the power of prayer. Our sincere prayers give God an open door to work diligently in their lives, and He loves and changes them in His own way.

I believe when we pray, God works! Sometimes we'll get answers immediately and other times we will pray for a lifetime. Be committed to keep praying and thanking God that He is working in the lives of people even if you aren't yet seeing results.

Great Resources

Joyce's newest book Do Yourself a Favor...Forgive offers further instructions for the process of forgiveness. Learn how to become a person who forgives quickly and easily, rising above the injustices of life.

If God is all-knowing and already knows what we need even before we pray, why pray at all? Also, is there biblical support for the need to "pray hard" or "pray till you get a breakthrough"? Join Joseph Prince in two revelatory and liberating messages as he debunks common myths about prayer and reveals God's heart for you in this area. Learn also what earnest prayer truly is, and how you can pray prayers that are acceptable and pleasing to God through your High Priest, Jesus.
The powerful messages in this DVD album will take your prayer life to a whole new level!

In this book, Become a Better You, Joel Osteen offers seven simple yet profound action steps that will help readers discover the better things they were born for... their individual purpose and destiny. As charming and passionate on the page as he is in person, Osteen incorporates key biblical principles, devotions, and personal testimonies that will uplift and enlighten readers. He speaks directly to the hearts and concerns of people from every walk of life. People love Joel Osteen--they love to be in his presence, to hear him speak, and to read what he's written--they just can't get enough of him.

Become a Better You will encourage and inspire readers to reach their full, unique and God given potential.