Can I share some good news?
God is the ultimate restoration expert!
He takes those cracks and instead of pasting over them haphazardly, He shines through them.
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)
Maybe you feel cracked today.
Maybe everyone is pointing out the cracks.
Maybe when you look in the mirror, you fail to see the value God places over you. Right where you are.
In this case the word forgive is to surrender to the process.
Surrendering is not a weak word. It simply means you are no longer fighting this battle alone. God comes into the front lines with you.
Today, I want to give you a gift.
It’s a glimpse into my new book.
Click here to receive the Introduction and Chapter One of The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness.
Hey, let’s start this journey of forgiving together, shall we? Join me beginning February 25th in an online study. (Just sign up right here on the main page above.) The chapter above is all you need to get started, and hopefully you’ll pick up the book and take it deeper.
I love nothing more than watching God take a broken vessel, just like He did me, and shining through those cracks in a beautiful way.
Today we’ll give away one copy of The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness. Just comment below, and we’ll choose one comment at random.
Did I mention how glad I am that you are here?
Suzie
Hi Suzie thanks for this devotional i am really feeling like that right now because my heart is aching becuse of my past so i need healing please pray for me. Thanks for this email it is inspiring.
Hi Suzie !
How beautifully put! I’m thankful for God’s Spirit at work in us!!This devotional is my story. I’m thankful for your devotion and courage to share and so to bless us!
Karen
God knew I NEEDED this! There are people in my family who I NEED to forgive for hurting me years ago. I keep trying but it’s something I’m still working on. I NEED this book & this study. Thank you for allowing God to speak to my heart through you!
One of the most powerful definitions of forgiveness is “ceasing to feel resentment”. That in itself is a powerful gift as it looses the ties (sometimes that feel like a ton of bricks) from you to past events or people, so you can live fully today. That’s my prayer for all of us, with His leading.
Suzie: Thank you for this heartfelt message. I really like the term “collateral damage,” as I think so greatly captures what happens to us and to others when we let our brokenness become bitterness. Forgiveness is so difficult, but so necessary to live the Christian life. Thank you for your message of encouragement.
Blessings
Suzy,
Thank you for your post this morning. I have many hurts from the past that keep me from being the person I know God wants me to be.
Suzie,
I loved your message today! And I am very much looking forward to your new book and the study! I still have a ways to go when it comes to forgiving some people in my life and I pray this study and your book will help me to do that!
Blessings to you!
Loved your devotion today from Proverbs 31.
Thank you and oh how timely. Just yesterday I was pondering on the exact issue and my own issues with THE issue: what contributes to my collateral damage and why can’t I see to fix myself or let God fix me. Looking forward to unlocking the answers 🙂
Wow. From Facebook to the blog on Collateral Damage to Suzie’s page … I’ve had quite a trip this morning and I’m still in bed (I have the flu). My church’s devotional for today asked us to answer; how God wants to the kingdom to come through us today. You beat me to it. I have much to learn, especially in forgiveness because it’s so much more than words. Whether or not I win the book, I have an opportunity to take a class out here, please pray I can afford (full-time student too). Oh, and I know God wants me to help others heal from their past pains; to grow and be transformed. So I know this study will be helpful to me. Thanks for your posts. It is so easy to see the damage and think there is no chance for repair.
Wow – The Lord knew I needed to hear this & feel like you are just talking to me! I need to heal the hurts in my past so that I can move forward & be the woman God wants me to be – fully surrendered to Him. Thank you for the opportunity to win your book:)
Blessings to you Suzie!
So thankful for your words this morning- so timely and touching!
So thankful for your words this morning. So timely and touching.
Today as I read yours excerpt, I said ahh someone who gets it I became excited that someone could put into words from personal, children & relationships how I felt and feel for year. I’ve stood in the mirror looking at my damaged goods, I’ve read my Bible wondering if I could possibly enjoy what it spoke of?
Today words can’t express how after 47yrs I can dream of breaking this stronghold over my life. I’m doing my best to hold back tears of joy but I’m thanking God because today I feel I can finally live the life God planned for me.
Thank you Suzanne for staying the course so God can use you to help others like me.
Humbly & Thankfully sumitted,
Regina H.
Regina, It sounds like hope flickered. There is a scripture that I love where Jesus “breathed” on His disciples. It gave them life in a pretty bleak place. I pray today that He breathes on that ember of hope and it ignites into full flame. No one is promising easy on this journey, but I do know that hope will be a companion.
The pains and hurts have to be released to God. He will take it all and bind up our broken hearts. Give it all to Him, our Restorer. Praise the Lord, Thank you, Jesus.
God has been helping me see the things from my past that are the root of my struggles today and walking with me on this healing journey. But he hasn’t stopped there in the last few months he has begun bringing people into my life who need someone to walk with them.
Suzie, Thank you so much for your thoughts today about the cracks and foundtion. It makes so much sense! Thank you for this opportunity! 🙂
Hi Suzie! Thank you for your devotion today. I’m sitting here with tears streaming down my face. I am the one that looks in the mirror and can’t see my value to God or anyone else. I feel like I am under attack, with key people in my life pointing out all of my cracks and it is all I can do to grab hold of a piece of truth to fight off their harsh and careless words and attitudes. They get my right where I am weakest. I am really looking forward to your study. I always get so much out of your posts. Keep sharing!
Oh Denise, look in the mirror again.
The Spirit [Denise] received does not make [her a] slaves, so that [she] live in fear again; rather, the Spirit [she] received brought about [Denise’s] adoption to sonship. And by him [she] cries, “Abba Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with [Denise’s] spirit that [she is] God’s child. Romans 8:15-16 NIV
You are His daughter. Maybe others see the cracks, but He shines through those cracks. Let’s embrace this one truth together today. You are His, and You are loved. Then let’s Him begin the process of healing and bringing wholeness into your life. That’s all you are required to do today. Embrace that truth. Say it out loud in the mirror. “I am His.”
Hi Suzie,
Thanks for this message today. I know that I desperately need to forgive and pray for two people in particular at this moment. It is so very hard because of the bullying and abuse that I have suffered by their hands. I hope and pray that this book and study will help me to do this in complete surrender to the Lord.
I hope that you read today’s free gift of Chapter One, where we talked about how to forgive in cases where abuse or evil was involved. Marilyn, my prayer is that God frees you from the feelings and burden, but also that your bullies run straight into God’s love and call for repentance. Forgiving isn’t allowing them to continue in that abuse.
I have a big time need for forgiveness toward my daughter-in-law who was finally arrested yesterday_ after multiple assaults on our family, finances (checking accounts and credit cards), home (jewelry and sterling), cars, and even on my body! during the past year. She faces a lot of charges, now that she is incarcerated; she has violated the trust of many. I feel in the past 6 – 8 years I have forgiven her over and over, but after a brief respite, the assaults continue. She is ill and scarred herself, I truly believe, so I find it hard to see myself embracing and trusting her ever again. Where my son and grandsons are concerned, it is a delicate balance for all, honoring marriage vows and protection of family.
Did you read the first free chapter I linked to today? I hope you did, because it referenced ways you can forgive in healthy ways in a case like this one. Please read that, and share your thoughts, okay?
“Collateral Damage.” Much better discription than “what she, he, they did to me. This is a timely study, as I have had a hard time forgiving what was done. Looking forward to the next part. Carol
Hello Suzie,
God is amazing, I didn’t know what I was looking for until I read Proverbs 31 devotion today, Thanks!
Thank you for opening my eyes with your devotional.
Your message is very good! How wonderful to be reminded that our Lord can heal our hurting hearts!
I am in the same place that Marisha posted earlier today. I checked my email for Proverbs 31 on break only to quickly click on over to you. After a hard day at work this past Wednesday and other obligations, I was questioning why am I this way, why do I always get back to this place that I feel COMPLETLY hopeless, not good for anything . Quoting Marisha” “what contributes to my collateral damage and why can’t I see to fix myself or let God fix me.”. I am so there and pray that I don’t pass down my collateral damage my own two girls.
Hi J., Today I pray that hope flickered, if even a little, because God can do a lot with a little hope. We all are works in progress, every one of us, and God is a Healer. So, for today, will you do me a favor? Will you replace guilt with anticipation of what God can and wants to do in you? And I get it. That was my prayer too, years ago, when I held my precious baby girl in my arms for the first time. Now I am a gramma to four beautiful babies under the age of two, and I can clearly see how God answered my prayers. I didn’t have all the answers or a clue how to proceed, but I was willing and He was God, and that combination helped me begin the journey. So glad you are on it as well.
Suzie – Thank you for this message. God spoke to my heart through it today.
Suzie, I would love to get a copy of your book. I keep being drawn back to your blog and your posts on forgiveness. I just know that God will do a great work through this book and all that join your study. Blessings to you.
Deanna, you are the winner of today’s free book! Send me your mailing address to tseller@daretobelieve.org — Thanks! Do you want the Kindle version or paperback? Suzie
I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS AUTHOR TIL TODAY. THIS sounds like it could help me a lot with things going on in my life,past and present. I look forward to reading more on how God could help me and take away my pain
I enjoy your blog. I appreciate your prayers. Thank you for allowing God to use you and your life experiences to help others.
Looking forward to reading this! Thanks Suzie!
Thank you for your encouragement today. I can’t wait to start this study and see how God is going to use it to give me freedom!! Thanks Suzie!
Thanks for your post. It was helpful to read because I feel broken and working on healing my past traumas and being able to truly feel loved and whole.
God has lead me to your site. I’ve been struggling with my issues from childhood of being neglected & abandoned. Lately I’ve been readings more of daily devotions, daily verses & they have all been about different things I’m going through. I didn’t think God was listening to my prayers but when I read these emails, I know its God talking to me.
Thank you,
Cristina
Cristina, I’m so glad you are here. I cannot wait to see what God wants to show you, and how He will move into those wounded places to make you whole. More than that, I cannot wait to see the woman who finds that her earlier years have now become a chapter, but not her whole story. I’m so glad you joined us for this study. Suzie
Looking forward to reading your book and finding freedom.
Thank you for this…I need this now (or than ever) in my life.
Looking forward to this study & praying for freedom in this area of my life. Thank you.
Hi Suzie, you are definitely being used as God’s mouthpiece in my life. February 25 cannot get here soon enough! Renae
Thanks fOr your post. I, too, have had some collateral damage and God has finally gotten me to a place where I will let Him show me. Looking forward to reading your book.
It sounds like you are at a place of surrender and growth!
Thank you so much for this opportunity to learn how to heal myself with Gods love and grace thru forgiveness. I struggle each and every day with this issue. I pray your book will set me free to love again!
Thank you so much for the devotion. Words I needed to hear today!
I like the term “collateral damage”. I’ve been struggling through a lot of it this last year, and looking for God’s healing. I’m excited to read your book!
God just keeps leading me to doors on areas of character defects that I need to work on & through to make me the woman He knows I am! So blessed to have come across your book, blog & study! I certainly understand “collateral damage” & the struggle with Forgiveness. Looking forward to learning how to open my heart & move forward!
Hey Jenn, Can I gently help you rephrase that? God leads us to areas where He can help us grow, because He knows where He wants to take us, and all the possibilities of who you are through Him. That’s an exciting place to go to, with His help.
Wow, thanks for the preview. I’d love to win this book. I’ve enjoyed a previous book of yours and am so excited for the release of your new one. Perfect content and very relevant to me.
God is Good!! I have been talking to my friend/2nd mom about this!! I think this book will be next on my “to buy” list!
Your devotion came to my inbox at just the right time. I am looking forward to the online Bible study! I am participating in one now through P31, and I am thoroughly enjoying it! I appreciate you letting us download the first chapter of your book. God bless you!
Beautiful devo.
Thank you for sharing your time with us! I look forward & enjoy your devotionals! Looking forward to this study….thanks!!!
I’ve just read this encouraging verses and it helpd me a lot. I’ve been going through some tough time, there are a lot of demands from me at work, in community, in my family. I have to remember that I am the precious one despite my weaknesses.
God bless You!:)
This devotional came to me in God’s perfect timing. The burdens of my heart have been overwhelming. Past and Present. I know God will finish the good work he started in me. This devotional is a blessing beyond words.
God healing my heart one day at a time. Thank you and God’s blessing be upon you.
I needed this soooooo much today! Thank you Suzie… truly!
Thank you this hit so close to home. I learned so much in a few minutes that took me to read this. Thank You Lord for your love and mercy, help me heal those cracks that are keeping me from being who you want me to be. Please Lord I need healing.. Amen
sooooo needed to find this today! thankful!
I don’t know what I would do without Proverbs 31 Ministries! I REALLY need to join this study and I am hopeful to get the resources and time to do so. I lost my Daddy to cancer on September 5, 2012 and my marriage fell apart just two months later on November 24, 2012 when I discovered my husband was having an affair. I’m trying to forgive and love my husband the way our Lord loves us, unconditionally, but it’s so hard. We are attending marriage counseling, but so far no much progress has been made. Please pray that our Lord will (because I know only He can) heal our hearts and the painful wounds. Thank you!
i am so excited to start this online study! i grew up in the church but have let the world take over my life. i so need this to get my life back on track with God! Thank you!
Paula, don’t wait for the study. Walk into His love today, sis. And welcome home. God has been reaching for you always. I rejoice with you today as you walk into that love, His love for you.
thanks for the generous offer 🙂 i love a good book that brings me closer to god
I have been so blessed with your ministry. A friend at work told me about it and now I look forward to these emails each day. On May 19th 2012 my husband of 29 years left me – he still hasn’t figured out what he wants to do with our relationship so I’ve been sitting in what feels like “time out” for 9 months as of today! During this time though, God has abundantly provided me with what I need – emotional, physically, and most importantly spiritually! Your ministry has been part of that support. I’ve also read Dr. Dobson’s book “Love Must Be Tough”; going through an anger management workbook; and finally reading Joyce Meyer’s “Do Yourself a Favor – Forgive”. WOW – what I’m learning! Thanks for your ministry – God is using you in a big way and even if I was the only one benefitting from it, He would be delighted with your obedience.
Well, I stumbled across this study today. It is just what I need. After 20 years of marriage to my high school sweetheart, my children and I were abandoned by my husband, their father…11 months ago today. The journey to this point has been brutal. I don’t know what my future holds…at all, and I am afraid. But, God has been with me like never before in my life and I love him so much. Whatever lies ahead I know God won’t fail me. My task now is to forgive, have faith, and keep going.
This is exactly where I am at right now. I find it funny when God is speaking something to me and no matter where I go – I hear it – from different people in slightly different ways – but the same message. And right now – that message is forgiveness. I am grateful to have “stumbled” upon it 😉 and look forward to following along
I am so excited about the study. I struggle with forgiving. I look forward to what God has for me to learn in this study. Thanks