Matthew 5:23–26 ‘Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.’ (vv23–24)
Not only must we forgive, but we too are in need of forgiveness. We regret many of our inner battles with ego and insecurity. We can hit out in our attempt to create sufficient smoke and distraction to prevent our human frailty and fracture from being seen. We unkindly blame, then shame others to protect our own sense of self and value. Bycock’s next healing words are ‘Please forgive me’.
I was talking with a friend who was telling me about some restoration their roof required. For years birds had nested under their roof tiles. As they stripped them back they discovered the scale of the structural damage. Unseen to the naked eye, the full extent of the damage was only visible with tiles removed and the true repair cost apparent.
Unforgiveness creates such damage, often unseen and unquantifiable beneath the roof of our respectability. Described as ‘a poison you drink, hoping the other person will die’, unforgiveness is now classified medically as a disease. Dr Steven Standiford, Chief of Surgery at the Cancer Treatment Centres of America, states, ‘It’s important to treat emotional wounds or disorders because they really can hinder someone’s reactions to the treatments, even someone’s willingness to pursue treatment.’
So today forgiveness therapy is being used to help treat diseases, such as cancer. Let’s not delay and allow the damage beneath our roof to destroy the whole house. Start practising today’s scripture and ask for forgiveness for both spiritual and physical health.
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER:
Ps. 25:1–15; Dan. 9:4–19; Matt. 18:21–35; Heb. 10:1–18
AN ACTION TO TAKE:
Knowing how you feel when you have been hurt will enable you to place yourself
in another person’s shoes. This will help with the internal challenge that accompanies
going to ask another’s forgiveness.
A PRAYER TO MAKE:
‘Lord, help me to maintain the temple of the Holy Spirit to stop the roof falling in. Amen.’
