Quotes for the morning

As part of some counseling Shari and I are doing with a student, we're going through John Bevere's book, "The Bait of Satan." It's an amazing book on offense, bitterness, and forgiveness. As Shari and I can tell from personal experience, as well as from watching others go through it, unforgiveness, bitterness, and hanging on to offense truly is a trap of the enemy, one that can tear us down, not the other person, and put a wall up between God and us. It's been a great reminder of truths we know, but need to have spoken into our lives regularly. Here are some quotes from chapters 6-8 that I read last week.

"We can pester the Lord regarding something for which He has already shown us His will. He will then allow us to do what we want even when it is against His original plan - even if it is not in our best interest." Pg. 64

"Often God's plan causes us to face hurts and attitudes we don't want to face. Yet we run from the very thing that will bring strength to our lives. Refusing to deal with an offense will not free us from the problem. It will only give us temporary relief. The root of the problem remains untouched." Pg. 64

"Jesus desires to heal our wounds, but we often do not let Him heal them because it is not the easiest road to take. It is the path of humility and self-denial that leads to healing and spiritual maturity. It is the decision to make another's well-being more important than your own, even when that person has brought you great sorrow. Pride cannot travel this path, but only those who desire peace at the risk of rejection. It is a trail that leads to humiliation and abasement. It is the road that leads to life." Pg. 65

"When you know that God has put you in a relationship or a church, the enemy will have a much more difficult time getting you out. You are founded on the revealed Word of God and will work through the conflicts even when it looks impossible." Pg. 72

"When you know that God would never do anything to harm or destroy you, and whatever He does or does not do in your life is in your best interest, then you will give yourself freely to Him." Pg. 87

"Offenses will reveal the weakness and breaking points in our lives." Pg. 92

These are hard things to hear, yet, because they are truths from scripture, they are life and joy... if only we'll truly put them into practice and not walk away from the mirror and forget what we look like (James 1:19-25)