Begin by Forgiving Yourself and Start Living Happy

Begin by Forgiving Yourself and Start Living Happy How does one find joy during the most trying times of one’s life? Life is hard, and we all need those things that will get us through the day. Everyone says they want to live a great life, have healthy relationships and look and feel their best, but how many are willing to put in the work day-after-day? If you look around your life and listen to all of the whining you’ll soon find that most people are situated comfortably in their discomfort. If you are trying to break free but not sure why life isn’t moving forward, you may need to do a bit of an assessment.

The why of loss is the ultimate question, isn't it? I can tell you that after twenty-five years of living with the loss of my brothers, the two people I was closest to in the world, I have no answers. Yet, that is the answer. So what do we do? How do we go on when we are faced with excruciating loss?

Do you really want to see yourself as a “victim,” with all the implications of helplessness embedded in that defeatist label? Consider that if you obsessively ruminate on the righteousness of your anger, your wrath will only become further inflamed.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have a network of supportive and loving friends and family to pull us out of our dark times, while some of us have little more to look forward to than the sun on our faces.

But we all have something. If we just allow ourselves the chance to search for it, we will find what brings us even the smallest amount of joy in the most bitter times. And sometimes, all we need to pull ourselves through are those small, fleeting moments of happiness.

We may not understand, but Jesus Christ does. He lived a perfect life, but was beaten, mocked, spit on, and hung on a wooden cross to die.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 If anger takes root in your heart and becomes a grudge or an unforgiving spirit, it can destroy you. ... It can take over your heart, turn into a lasting grudge, or an unforgiving spirit, ... No one goes to heaven unforgiven by God. Instead of going to God and receiving the comfort that is available in Him, they refused to be comforted and still harbor the pain.

DO NOT DO THAT! Confession can open your heart to receive the healing that God. Understand that we are to forgive because we are forgiven. When we have an unforgiving spirit, our eyes are not on him; they are fixed on ourselves. When you have been hurt, tell God, "Someone should pay for this." And He will tell you in his kind, loving, tender way this, "I have already paid."

Calvary Road Baptist Church - ​Annandale Baptist Church 703-922-6700 6811 Beulah Street Alexandria, VA 22310 www.crbc.org