If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome! In it I shared how God sings over us on those days we struggle with cranky pants. Today you have landed right in the middle of our ongoing study of my new book, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness. I’m so glad you are here!
Welcome to Week #3 of The Unburdened Heart study.
We leave one place to find another.
That’s our theme for this week.
I don’t know what that “one place” is for you. For me, it was leaving this place: seeing myself through the eyes of the past. That showed up in insecurity. It showed up in taking care of myself, and not letting others help. It showed up in a fierce desire to be a good mom, but with no clue of how to get there from here.
And where was God leading?
To a place where I saw myself as His girl. To a place where I, still a shy girl, could stand in front of a crowd to share the message that my Savior is a Healer. To a place where I held my beautiful grandbaby in my arms two years ago, and realized that she had a grace-covered and whole family tree, as far back as she could see.
I don’t have time or the space to share how that bumpy, wonderful journey has transpired, but step by step, day by day, year by year I keep walking covered by His grace and love, toward forgiveness.
It’s a lifetime journey.
Let’s talk about apheimi forgiveness.
Hello,
I went to church Sunday and cried the whole time after a friend looked at me said whats wrong and gave me a big hug… I knew the friend that I loved who rejected me was sitting there in the congregation some place. I had tried to make things right with her, but it always seems to end in more rejection. But then like a month later she’ll give me a hug at an event or something and by then I’m so hurt from the rejection It actually makes me feel worse because she doesn’t/won’t talk to me.
So I am trying to really let go and leave her and the craziness behind. I had a friend who knows the situation tell me “she is a user who uses people to get where she wants to be”… I don’t want to hold anything against her, so I am trying to give all that up to God and love her from a distance. The thing about her is that she isn’t down and out… from what I can see from a distance, she is doing great without a care in the world and I feel like the down & out one…
A good thing that happened at church was that a few women hugged me and were affectionate toward me. I could tell that they did care about me… and one came and talked to me after service so that did my heart good. I felt like the Lord was showing me that I’m not alone and that people really do care. It sounds pathetic I’m sure.. but the pain of rejection surpasses any pain I’ve experienced, even giving birth at least that is over after a small period of time and you heal quickly with something awesome to show for it…
I’m not quite sure what that good place would look like. But I choose to leave any expectations of her behind and do PHI 4:8 think on and rejoice in the good things, even the tiniest thing and know He is the one who is the giver of them. Someone wrote to me yesterday and told me “You must believe that God’s people are more caring than you think. Don’t let the enemy steal your peace and joy. He didn’t give it to you and for sure, he can’t take it away.”
Blessings,
Thank you so very much for the “cranky pants” post. It is so very approptiate for what I have been going through! I struggle with not feeling worthy enough for God to love me. And asking my church family for help! I have seperated from my husband last Spring so I sometimes feel that God & His people won’t accept me. But, as time goes on, I am seeing & understanding the opposite, the truth! This is a very “uncomfortable” situation for me! Thanks to God using Proverbs 31 Ministries, my new church and of course His word my mind & heart are being “renewed”!
Sincerely,
Audrey
I just got done reading your “Cranky Pants” post. How timely. I read the chapter last week, but was silent after Monday because I was just so “cranky” all week. I’ve been listening to the song “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North all week because that’s kind of been where I’ve been at. No specific reason, just life catching up, I think. You had asked the question on Wednesday about one thing that we surrendered. My surrender was acknowleding the positive affirming comments two of the people that I need to forgive made to me instead of assuming they were trying to manipulate me as has been the case in the past. They both seemed sincere. I believe God is working in my life to restore these relationships.
Today I had my Cranky Pants with a capital “C” and a capital “P” on with my underlying Poor Me panties! Not pretty. Thank you for your soothing reminder of God’s peace. My circumstances aren’t likely to change, but my heart’s response can. Time to get redressed 🙂
Suzanne, I so enjoyed your Cranky Pants, when I am not thinking, or speaking right, or just need to feel safe, I have to BE STILL Psalm 46:10 and Know that He is God… (Be Still and Know That I Am God) I have to LISTEN for His voice, sometimes in our busy lives, there is so much noise and busyness that we do not let ourselves Be Still.. He can and does give us peace and strength, we just need to praise Him more and show Him love and love to others.
Blessings to you and yours.
I have my hurt pants on, I find myself struggling with the feeling of doubt have I forgiven my husband and step-daughter, I tell myself I have but the enabling continues and the hurt keeps getting heaped up and my cranky pants self rears up too. Oh how I pray for the pain to just go away. Thank you for your timely post.
Blessings,
karen g
This topic is very timely for me. I recently discovered the encouragement for today devotions and am so thankful for how they’ve impacted my life already. I’d love to win a copy of your book as noted on the devotion today. Please let me know how to enter.
Thanks.
While reading your cranky pants post, I began to smile immediately. It reminded me that we all have those feelings at one time or another and sometimes it takes a cranky moment to turn to our Lord and Savior to rescue us from ourselves. Would love to read your book! Thanks for your Bible study…it is as you said…helping me get from one place to another!
Thank you for your post about being a cranky pants. I love the verses you have choose! Your post on forgiveness and moving from one place to another was just what I needed to hear and do. Thank you!
Susie, thank you so much for this study. I am awaiting my book, maybe it will come today. Can’t wait to get into chapter 2. The Holy Spirit is moving in my life in this area! God is so good, I can only trust and surrender.