Joy and Recovery

This time is difficult for me. So when I write this, I harvest my life. Hope it's food for you too. Not everything is sweet. Some have bitter taste, like lemon. But it's good food for the soul to grow and deepen.

When recovering from inner pain, you long for joy to return. Forgiving proves to be the most difficult part of recovery. But it is critical to move on with joy in life. I knew that if God
could forgive me and all of us, then I must also forgive.

"Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you. But if you refuse to forgive them, He will not forgive you." (Matthew 6:14, 15)

Love and forgiveness is not primarily something I feel. It is first and foremost a choice I make before God and men. I choose to be free and stay on.

I believe recovery and its accompanying joy can be summed up in the Word from Ephesians 4:31-32, which says, '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."

I realize I'm not perfect. However, when I turn to God and ask Him to control the situation, His perfect love and forgiveness pave the way for recovery.

Yes, recovery from life's pains and disappointments is possible. Joy is possible again. If you are willing to forgive and love unconditionally, what is broken can truly be restored -- for a lifetime.