When you know someone experiencing or going through tough times, its hard to know where to stop. In most cases, the best thing to do is ask questions and listen. If you are the type of individual who tries to fix people, you can only do so much. According to the apostle Paul, the best place to start is with forgiveness.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you, Colossians 3:13.
During his earthly ministry, Jesus developed a pattern prior to healing someone. First, Jesus wanted to know if a person in need wanted to get better as some tend to embrace the victim card. Second, after probing patients, taking an assessment of the situation, Jesus turned his attention toward forgiveness. During a dispute with Pharisees, Jesus tried to prove a point using logic.
Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? – Matthew 9:5.
In the Lord’s prayer, a condition is placed upon forgiveness. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. However, if you hold grudges and fail to forgive others, God’s won’t forgive you. Nearly 2000 years later, this concept still applies. Therefore, if healing, restoration or recovery is what you seek, the best place to start is with forgiveness.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 