Let It Go!

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11: 25-26)

Contrary to some teachings and beliefs, God does NOT give us everything we ask for . . . and thank God He does not! How spoiled would we be with no correction and all the candy we ever wanted! But even if we are asking according to the will of God for our lives, there is still one thing we need to be sure we are doing . . . forgiving others! What an oxymoron to say we are forgiven by God yet hold grudges and bitterness toward others. We cannot lift our hands and hearts to God with bitterness, envy, or hatred toward other people. Our hands must be holy (1 Timothy 2:8), but in order for our hands to holy our hearts must be pure. God does not want any sacrifice from us, even our prayers, if we are holding grudges against others. If we remain bitter because of how we have been treated, yet ask God to treat us well, it will not work. We must realize how far down God has stooped to save us from our sin and be willing to humble ourselves with those whom have harmed us in one way or another. The model prayer instructs us to forgive others as God forgives us . . . (Matthew 6:12). Forgiveness has healing power . . . bitterness kills at the heart. Even if people will not accept forgiveness or apologies, it frees us up in our relationship with the Father. Paul warns us not to sleep on anger, bitterness, or other evil thoughts (Ephesians 4:26-27). If we count on the fact that God forgives us, then we must be quick to repair our actions against others and their acctions toward us. A good lesson for us all . . . let it go . . .!