Hãy Yêu Thương Nhau

Skip to content

Thursday, May 17th

Bài Viết Mới:

Đổi Cả Thiên Thu Tiếng Mẹ Cười

Buổi nói chuyện: Ngôn Ngữ Tình Yêu

Chuyển Giao Thông Điệp Cứu Độ

Sự Khác Biệt Giữa Bí Tích, Á Bí Tích và Ân Xá

Skip to content

13 Jan 2012

Let Go of The Past - Part 4: Toxic-Free

forgive Forgiveness is the key to being free.

A few decades ago, several American companies were authorized by U.S. government to bury toxic waste products underground. They filled large metal containers with chemical waste, sealed the drum tightly, and buried them deep down below the topsoil. They thought that was the end of it. Within a short time, however, many of the containers began to leak and the toxic waste started seeping to the surface, causing all sorts of problems. In some locations, it killed off the vegetation and ruined the water supply. People had to move out of their homes. In one section near Niagara Falls, known as the Love Canal, an inordinate number of people began dying of cancer and other debilitating diseases. Many communities are still suffering from the effects of toxic waste burials to this day.

What went wrong? They tried to bury something that was too toxic. It couldn't be contained. They thought they could bury it and be rid of it, once and for all. But they never dreamed that the materials they were attempting to bury were so powerful. Had they disposed of them properly in the first place, they wouldn't have had the terrible problem. It's the same with us. When someone hurts us, instead of letting it go and trusting God to make it up to us, we sometimes bury the hurt deep down on the inside. And unfortunately, just as toxic waste tends to resurface, one day the things you have tamped into your subconscious, or buried deeply in the recesses of your heart, will rise to the surface and begin to contaminate your life. We can't live with poison inside us and not expect it to eventually do us harm.

Face it. You are not strong enough to contain the toxicity in your life. You need help from someone bigger and stronger than yourself. That's why you need to give bitterness, resentment, and other contaminants to God. Forgiveness is the key to being free from toxic bitterness.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4: 31-32).

A Prayer For Today: Father, I am not strong enough to contain the toxicity in my life. I'm hardheaded and stubborn, and I don't let go easily. I need You to help me. Release me from the bitterness, resentment, and other contaminants that have leaked into my life after years of being buried beneath the surface.

I will not permit any man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him. Booker T. Washington

Takeaway Truth: Forgiveness is the key to being free. Today, I will ask for forgiveness and give it freely, without being asked.

Part 5: Free to be you

The Pham

December 2011