As Administration Manager of FulvicForce - a natural, organic supplement - I came along something the closest to the taste of gall. The good news about this product is (when you can stomach it), it brings an enormous change in your life: a whole body detox, an immune system boost, and a boost in your energy levels – overall better health. But this must be the only ‘gall’ that is good for you. The bitter liquid literally changes you from a sour worm to an alkaline busy body in a few days.
Gall! The word itself sounds vile and bile, therefor I have decided to dig deep to get rid of all the gall in my life. A year back, I left most of it in the sewerage system of OudeMuragie Guest Farm in the Karoo, and was surprised to find that there were still some clingy bastards in my system.
Every day, minor or major things happen that irritate us, make us mad, lure us to get even, or hold a grudge. We take offense. We are quick to blame. What will happen if we will be just as quick to forgive? Is 1 Corinthians 13:5 even possible?
“Love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil” ( TPT).
We cannot be taken hostage by events happening to us. We cannot cling to bitterness and God simultaneously. The root of the gall should be discovered. And the best way to deal with it, is FORGIVENESS. Like gall, even the word ‘forgive’ can make us hit the road. Past wounds spring to mind, making forgiveness feel impossible. It comes natural to dwell on the horrible things that have been done to us, and there is an urge to retaliate.
Proverbs 12:16: “Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults” (MSG)
Unforgiveness is as bitter as bile, but to forgive, almost sounds like offering a “get out of jail free” card. It seems unthinkable. Why should I forgive? Especially when the person don’t even show a little remorse. I realized I had not fully understood what forgiveness is — and what it is not:
Forgiveness is refusing to retaliate or to become bitter after the blows and wounds against us.
It is not conditional on the person being repentant or willing to acknowledge what they’ve done.
Forgiveness is not approving of what the other person has done.
Forgiveness is acknowledging that the other person has sinned against us and may never be willing to apologize. But God says: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32)
Forgiveness does not require restoring trust.
Forgiveness is unconditional.
Forgiving people means leaving the consequences to God, who says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19).
Forgiveness is costly. It is a sacrifice.
We need to ask God to help us forgive, to make us willing to forgive, instead of clinging on to, or nursing our anger, until God changes our hearts. Intentionally stop rehearsing offenses. Choose to forgive, then the PROCESS of forgiveness can begin:
First receive God’s forgiveness, which empowers us to forgive others.
Name what has happened, as well as all the negative repercussions.
Include everything, also what you’ve lost.
Say what has been hard.
Tell how it has made you feel.
Know what you’re letting go of in order to move forward.
See forgiveness as a command, not as an option “As the Lord has forgiven you,” Colossians 3:13 says, “so you also must forgive.” Like all God’s commands, it is always for our own good.
Always see it as a big deal. If you have thought about it twice… forgive.
Stop telling others what has been done to you. You open the door to sin in your own life, while criticizing the other person. Your bitterness eats you up on the inside.
Forgiving those who have hurt us, is OUR get out of jail free card. It keeps bitterness from taking root, bitterness that would hurt not only us, but everyone around us as well. When we hang on to resentment, we give our offender ongoing power over us – we become slaves. Forgiving those who have wronged us releases the hold of bitterness on us.
Being able to forgive not only changes our present; it changes our future. When we forgive, we can begin to experience freedom and joy. We are not accountable for other people, only for our own responses. Refuse to respond in anger, and you will have the power to control the situation. Remind yourself that the grace of God is for you AND others. Many times others don't even know that they have done anything to you to offend you, but you got angry and then this anger turned into bitterness. Bitterness will bring destruction to you – not to anyone else.
Do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:22-32 teach us more about this subject. We are taught to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. We are taught to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave us.
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5 NKJV)
Bitterness, criticism and a judgmental spirit go hand in hand. By judging another person, you are setting a standard by which you will be judged. Critical, judgmental people always have big problems of their own. Either they are sinning themselves, or they open themselves up for sin to take control of them. Even where we see it our duty to help another person straighten themselves up, the Bible tells us to be careful of our own attitude when we bring a correction to theirs.
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1 KJV)
We need God's grace in our lives on a daily basis. Don't hinder His grace by allowing bitterness to have control of you. Stop the cycle! Forgive and release whomever caused you to become bitter.
Retaliation, just as in a rugby match, may end in a red card. It means you may no longer take part in the rest of the match. Practice self-control. Your present and future depends on it. Get rid of offenses through forgiveness, before it hits your heart or get stuck in your mind.
Practice forgiveness. Let’s get good at it.
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