4 minute read
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,” (1 John 5:3 NIV)
Obeying God frees you.
But doing what God commands isn’t easy. Loving people who have hurt you to the core is not a natural response. The testimonies of forgiveness I’ve heard in my lifetime are phenomenal. One of the most memorable stories for me came from a grieving mother I met. She not only forgave but befriended the drunk driver who took her son’s life. Her faith in God gave her the strength to obey His command to forgive. When she forgave, her heart was free to love. Where once she wanted vengeance, she found a divine peace only achievable with God. Her testimony is one that is impacting lives to this day. God glorified as His child sought to obey Him.
Forgiving someone is entrusting them into God’s hands. Whatever hurt they incurred, He will handle it. He sees inside the heart to the emotion behind the action; He understands, people operate from their pain. All of us are experiencing pain at some level. Emotional pain isn’t visible; we can’t see the hurt someone is struggling with inside. But God does. He knows what is going on with whomever and why they act the way they do. For that reason, He’s the best one to judge their punishment, not us. When we forgive, we’re releasing the burden, giving it to God.
Unburden with obedience.
Each day we put God first in our lives unburden’s us a little more. Journeying with God means constant motion. Pace for the trip is sometimes faster than others, but He’s continually propelling us forward. Life isn’t stationary, but sometimes we get stuck. A transgression happens we can’t forgive; until we do, we’re stuck in the moment. To get unstuck, we have to obey.
My left Achilles is a persistent problem. This summer, with all of the tennis-teaching I was doing, the pain became unbearable. I was limping everywhere I went, contemplating giving up coaching. Finally, my husband convinced me to see a doctor. Within 15 minutes, the doctor unstuck me from my pain. He immediately identified the improper stretching I was doing, correcting my routine. As I followed the doctor’s orders, I found freedom from my pain. I now walk without a limp. My obedience unburdened me daily, giving me freedom from my pain.
When in pain, see the Doctor. No matter what hurt you have, God has the answer. Follow whatever command He gives you. Let Him unburden you from your pain, as He frees you to love with His heart.
Release your anxieties and fears to God. Trust He knows what’s best. Follow His commands, find freedom.
Question of the Day:
What command of God are you resisting today?
Further Reading: Hosea 1:1-3:5 NIV, 1 John 5:1-21 NIV, Psalm 124 NIV, Proverbs 29:5-8 NIV
