Job1: 22 In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong. CEV
FORGIVENESS.
In my walk of faith, I've learnt how brethren can be hurting and unkind in words to those passing through life's challenges. I know this by experience. Several years ago, a brother and a sister were trusting God for the fruit of the womb. God blessed them with the good things of life but they had a no child for several years. Another brother whom I thought would be reasonable in reasoning told me he knew their wealth was impure and that may be the reason for their delay. In fact, he attributed their delay to the dark secret behind their wealth. This is someone who is related to the brother by blood. I cringed with fear because I never expected such from him. I made a personal decision to avoid any discussion that touched on that brother and sister with him neither did I inform the expectant family what I heard. I trusted God with that family and to God's glory, they have a child now. Hallelujah!!! A word of caution, be careful what you say to those passing through life's challenges so that you won't be seen as their enemy when their testimony comes.
Job's friends were unkind in their remarks towards Him. If you take your time to study Job, you will notice that some of his friends attributed his ordeal to the sins of his youth or to some evil he did. This is a man whom the bible described as perfect, a man that was pleasing to God but men are saying he was suffering for his sins. I'm sure those words hurt Job deep into his marrows but he did something worthy of emulation- he forgave his friends. "After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before", Job42:10. Your restoration is hinged upon forgiving those who hurt you in time of trouble, those who spoke unkind words to you attributing your challenges to your sin, prayerlessness, unkind attitude and so on. Please forgive them, pray for them and let go.
Sometimes, you really can't tell what people have in mind about you until you find yourself in the murky waters of life's trouble. I am sure that some of those who benefited from the ministry of Jesus were among those who shouted "Crucify Him". When Jesus hung on the cross looking helpless, he was mocked by His own people but listen to what He said in Luke 23:34, "Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots". When life deal a deadly blow on you and men turn their backs on you speaking hurtful words instead of encouraging you, don't let it bother you. It is the devil's ploy to prolong your stay in the wilderness of life if you allow bitterness and unforgiveness set in. Emulate Job and Jesus in this. I see God turning your life around soon in Jesus name.
CONFESSION: My change is coming. The dark days will soon be over and I shall walk into my testimony in Jesus name. I refuse to bear grudge, I forgive every unkind word spoken to me and about my challenges. I walk in love in Jesus name.
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