As I was valiantly trying to share many books to lighten my "moving load" I have found a number of favorite books from my past. One I am rereading is called "Irregular People" by Joyce Landorf. It was a book given to me by a friend in 1985, and I am reminded of facts about Forgiveness that the Lord used this lovely author to impart to my heart.
You might ask, "What do you mean by 'Irregular People'?" They might be described as complicated or destructive relationships within our family or social network, people who seem adept at verbal or nonverbal abuse, who cause us to feel rejection or leave us with emotional scars whenever we see them.
I have written previously about our need to forgive even the most difficult hurts. The big truth I learned by the Holy Spirit quickening His word through this author was to pray for the Lord to forgive through us when we have hurts too deep to forgive ourselves. I have shared all God desires is our will to forgive, and He will work it through us, and one day we will realize the joy and release in our hearts, and no longer feel the heaviness of unforgiveness, resentment or bitterness we once felt. He will not violate our will, but when we WILL to allow Him to forgive through us, the Blessed Holy Spirit takes us at our word and does the work through us. It may not manifest in a day, week, or even years, but one sweet day you will realize you no longer feel that heaviness. I have also shared the story of Corrie ten Boom who, when confronted by the evil German guard in the concentration camp who had come to the Lord, as he reached out his hand to her, she was reminded of Romans 5:5 "....the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." That was a sovereign reminder of the Lord to her, and she was able to reach out and with forgiveness, shake his hand.
But many "irregular people" do not realize they are offensive and unkind, and if confronted will vehemently deny they have ever done anything to hurt another person (when you have the tattered emotions dangling from your wounded heart). However, God's word is clear that IF we wish to receive God's forgiveness, we must forgive others. Though I have remembered and done this through the years when I have been wounded, I forgot one of the important things from this book I am now reminded about. When I ask the Lord to forgive the person(s) who wound me, I must also ask Him to forgive me for my part in the matter. Why did I allow myself to forget about that?
You might say that you didn't have anything to do to receive the hurt, but the other person sees through other eyes. Regardless of whether or not we have been guilty of wounding another, we must ask for forgiveness for ourselves as well, and forgive ourselves for attitudes or things we may have done to wound our "irregular person", no matter how unkind or hurtful his or her actions were to us. I am still rereading this book, and I pray if any of you do not understand what I am saying, or would like for me to pray with you about a situation, please e-mail or call me. I will be pleased to pray and seek the help of the Holy Spirit to help you get release from these hurtful relationships.
It appears I will not be leaving this area as quickly as I thought, though my house remains for sale, and I hope to leave for Kansas when the Lord shows me His time. Meanwhile, I hope to see each of you before I leave, and my love and prayers will go with me when I do leave this wonderful area.
Lots of love and prayers, Dee
