Tag: Thoughtful Thursday

When We Don’t Know What to Pray

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
I was recently talking with a friend about prayer, how God answers prayer, and how we should pray. A few days later, I was reading through Ephesians 1 and found yet again the beautiful prayer that Paul prayed for the believers at Ephesus.

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,(Ephesians 1:15-20)

In this prayer, is a beautiful example of how we can grow—and what we can access by prayer.
  • The spirit of wisdom
  • Revelation in the knowledge of God
  • The eyes of understanding enlightened
  • Knowledge of the hope of His calling
  • Knowledge of the riches of His glory
  • Knowledge of the inheritance of His saints
  • What is the exceeding greatness of His power to believers (which is compared to His power in raising Christ from the dead!)

Knowing that we have access to ALL of this should great affect how we pray!

As I reflected on this, I then thought about how I pray for others. Sometimes, I just don’t know what to pray–there may be times when I sense a need in their lives (which, by the way, we should pray just as fervently for those whose lives look “put together” as those who seem to be falling apart–Paul often prayed that the churches would continue in what they believed), but other times, I want to pray, but may not know how.

Ephesians 1 and 3 and Philippians 1 all have passages of Paul’s prayers for others. This gives me a good idea of how to pray Biblically for someone else. I started making a list from the prayer passages in the New Testament:

I plan on adding to this list as I come across other passages that demonstrate ways for us to pray for others.

Do you have a specific passage you’ve used before to pray for others?
What verse has God used in your life recently about prayer?

Open Honesty: Hard Days

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
I sit at the piano, plucking things out, trying to find something creative, but all I get is a monotonous run of the same-ol’, same-ol’. Come on.I’ve arranged hundreds of songs! Surely one more won’t be the end of me!
I dig into God’s Word… only to come up dry. Shouldn’t I find something — something— to encourage me for the day?
I stare at my computer screen. One hundred words. This is all I need to write for my novel today. But it is hard. Nothing is coming. And I get further discouraged. (By the way, THIS makes 100 words — yeah, not much is it?)
The examples can go on. Whether it is with projects, home-life, friendships, spiritual life, or church issues, we’ve all been there. Days can be hard. Tough. Dry. Discouraging. Days in which we want to do nothing but surround ourselves in a fat layer of self-pity and mope. Because after all, writers are supposed to write, aren’t they? If I’m in God’s Word daily, I should get something out of it daily, shouldn’t I?
When I was having a hard week recently, the Lord had to put some things into perspective for me.
1) I can’t claim verses such as 1 Peter 4:12-13.
When I truly think about my “hard days” in light of Scripture, I am not suffering for Christ, per se. Sure, it may be an attack from satan, if I am truly striving to do something to follow Christ. But I’m not spilling blood because I’m standing up for Christ. I’m just frowning because my day isn’t going smoothly. There is a big difference.
 
2) I’m not the only one struggling.
It’s easy to think that I’m the only writer out there who can’t get words or ideas to come. Even when I know that two of my author friends have admitted writing had been hard for them too. On spiritually hard days, I tend to forget the friend that just texted me that she’s also having some spiritual struggles.
3) My struggles aren’t the biggest ones out there.
While I’m sitting there, tempted to mourn about lack of ideas and inspiration for my pet projects, there are several families in our community who are morning the tragic accident that killed three family members and sent seven to the hospital in critical condition. This is just one instance I know of. Many others around me are facing life-threatening issues. I am nothing but a selfish wimp that wants things to go my way.
4) My focus is on ME.
The magnifying glass is on my problems. They’re more acute, more painful, more serious than the problems anyone else is having. Which often leads me to not having “room” for other people and their struggles because really, “Mine are more than I can handle.”
5) I need to get beyond this.
The beauty of realizing points 1-4 is that the Lord then shows me ways to overcome them.
–  One of the greatest ways is to pray for others. When struggling spiritually, pray for other believers and their spiritual walk (even if I think they have it all together). When words don’t come, pray for other Christian authors who are striving to share the Gospel. When I’m tempted to pity myself, pray for people with real problems — big problems — that only God’s grace can help them through. The list of people and needs I can pray for are much larger than my life.
– Another very important thing is to “count it all joy” or “in everything give thanks.” Seriously. I stop and start listing things I’m grateful for. I could never count them all… so by the time I get through a dozen or two, wow! I’m really blessed.

You know what? I have had some puddles to wade through, but when I think realistically — when I turn my focus away from myself and to God and others — my days really aren’t that hard after all.

How do you get through hard days? What helps turn your focus away from yourself?

Open Honesty: About the "Money" Issue

Published on by Amanda Tero7 Comments
 Some days, it’s time to give you a little x-ray vision into my life. Today is one of those days. My life right now is spent teaching piano and violin, running With a Joyful Noise music, writing, and occasionally doing photography or graphics designing. I enjoy it all very much, but then there are days…
If you’ve been in the self-employed business world for any length of time, you know that building a business isn’t a bed of roses (or maybe it is — because you see more thorns than blossoms 😉 ). It takes a lot of work, sometimes with very little monetary gain.
And usually, money is the last thing I think about.
Until my computer basically crashes.
And my website needs to be renewed.
And a room needs to be finished for a piano studio.
And the price to print books increases.
And postal prices increase.
And, and, and…
The list goes on until even the smallest things (“What?! My phone bill is about to be raised $5?!”) are catastrophic.
Then, the brain begins to work.
What can I do to get more followers?
How can I promote my music so more people notice it?
How can I convince people to buy my books?
I need to stop doing giveaways.
I need to spend more time on social media, being interactive.
Don’t people even see my photography work anymore?
HELLO WORLD, I’M OUT HERE!!!!
Okay, so maybe the means aren’t quite that desperate, but you get the picture. The temptation comes to stop viewing my businesses as ministry and instead view them primarily as a money maker (or the desire for them to actually make money).
I was recently reading a passage with which I’m very familiar (in fact, I have it memorized), but I suddenly noticed two verses that connect. You’ll recognize the verses: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Timothy 6:10-11)
I acknowledge that 1 Timothy was written to a preacher, but as I read these verses, it suddenly struck me as a business owner/manager. My goal should never be money, but that which fades not away, because it is the desire to be rich that leads into a temptation and a snare (1 Timothy 6:9).
These verses beg me to evaluate my heart.
– Am I spending as much time pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, as I am thinking about better ways to publicize my businesses and gain sales?

– Am I more concerned about the dollar sign attached to my product or whether it leads its consumers to these spiritual truths?
And as I evaluated, I realized some places where I had been tempted to go.
In writing, “genre” is pushed. Non-romantic, Biblically-solid historical fiction is not what’s popular. Dystopian? Romance? Fan-fiction? Oh yeah.
In music, hymns are a dying thing. You’ve got to catch up to the rave of pop, soundtracks, and limited popular modern Christian songs of the day (note: some of these Christian songs are Biblically solid).
My reasoning for doing any of these would be one thing: they will likely get sales.
Which leads me to a third evaluation:
– Am I working to get sales… or to present truth?
Just a few seconds evaluating my heart, and I realize where I’ve slid.
I’m looking at money, not ministry.
I’m looking at popular, not prayer.
I’m looking at cash, not Christ.
And I am reminded of all of the lessons that God taught me these past years in my businesses: my eyes must — at ALL times — be fully fixed on Him.

In my entire life, He has provided for my EVERY need. When I need the money, it’s there. When I need the work, it’s there. And sometimes, He even goes a step further and gives me an extra-special blessing, something that I don’t even need — just because He’s good like that.
Above and beyond that, God has blessed me more times than I can begin to count by the encouraging words of others. Hearts are being reached… and I’m worried about money?!
At the conclusion of this heart-searching and reminders, I am brought back to the place I needed to be the whole time: my knees. I can cast my every care upon Him, for He cares for me.
So my computer’s basically dead.
My website needs renewal.
My piano studio needs to be finished.
Books are more expensive.
Postage is more expensive.
Sure, I have these cares. But am I thinking about these things which will one day fade away? Or am I looking at the things of God:
Righteousness
Godliness
Faith
Love
Patience
Meekness
Because when it’s all said and done, this is what God has promised me: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33, emphasis added)
So yeah, I can work double-time to promote my businesses, but it will be at the expense of my spiritual walk. What is really more important for me? What kind of blessings does God have in store for my businesses — if only I will get my perspective right?
– – – –
What lessons has God been teaching you recently?

Waiting for the Flowers

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
It happens almost every time. I write a book, and then wham! The Lord uses the very words *I* wrote to speak to me — at a much-needed time! I find it amusingly awesome. 🙂 

For Befriending the Beast, the theme is one of hope, trust, and waiting. As I was editing it, I realized one scene that held a message that I needed.

~*~*~

“Did these roses bloom as soon as you and your mother planted them?” Percy’s voice was next to Belle. Without looking, she knew that he knelt beside her. “Or were you that impatient little girl, dragging her mama here every morn to search for buds?”

The tears finally emerged. Percy had watched her grow up. Of course he remembered those days of impatience.

“Did you stop watering and nurturing the rosebushes just because you didn’t see flowers?”

Belle shook her head and gave up on pretending to weed.

“Nay. Just like it takes time with flowers, it takes time for the Spirit’s work. And you cannot give up ‘watering and nurturing’ because things aren’t happening as quickly as you’d like them to.”



Wherever the Lord has you today, keep trusting in Him, waiting for Him, and following  Him!
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:9

Shackled

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3)
I was saved as a young child and as I entered my teens, I desired to grow in the Lord. To know more of His Word. To be holy.
In my pursuit of holiness, set-apartness, and Godliness, I put away many things. My life began to be driven by rules of what I could and couldn’t do. Many times, I would add to this list when a preacher or friend would suggest something that sounded like what a Christian should/shouldn’t do.
“But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?”(Galatians 4:9)
My salvation rests not in the good works that I have done, but in Christ Jesus and faith through Him (Ephesians 2:8-9). Now that I am saved, why would I turn again to good works and rules in my pursuit of holiness? These only bring me into bondage.
“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:5-6)
I am to live through the Spirit…by faith…by love. Wait. Did I see “good works” in that list? Rules and regulations? This chapter, rather, speaks against works alone for holiness. While we do not circumcise today, there are many areas in which we hope, by our works, to attain the same holiness that the Jews hoped for in circumcision–a holiness that is not attained through faith in Christ Jesus, but a holiness that is attempted by fleshly works.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”(Galatians 5:16)
You see, I had it backwards. I thought that doing things would draw me closer to God. Rather, it is drawing close to God that enables me to live a holy life, spurning the lusts of the flesh. It is drawing nigh to God that comes before we can cleanse our hands and purify our hearts (James 4:8).
As a personal example, I had put away all books that were not by Christian authors when I was a teen–even “Christian” books that did not have a deep, strong spiritual message. I almost felt guilty if someone caught me looking at a cover of another book. Dirty if I read one paragraph. This rule was based on conversations I had with a friend and my personal desire to be holy and cleansed from the dirt of the world. And honestly, I do believe it was best for me in my teen years (when daydreams run rampant and the girl’s heart seeks fairytale stories).
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)
Now, a few years later, I realize that my motive for shunning these books was incorrect. I did not do it in a desire to please my Lord, but rather because it made me feelcleaner and holier. I realized that there is freedom in Christ. No, I am not saved to do exactly how I please and I know that many Christians sin under the guise of “liberty in Christ.” However, just because I made myself a list of “this is right, this is wrong” did not mean that the Spirit was leading. I did not realize until later that because of the rules Ihad placed on myself, the life I was living was in bondage. I was shackled to regulations of my own making, not of the Spirit’s leading.
Back to the books, I noticed a vivid example of the difference. A few years ago, I would not have touched a book by Jane Austen, based on my rigidity (before I go further, I do not condemn those who read Jane Austen, this is just what the Lord taught me). To do so, I would feel this guilty condemning verdict placed upon me. This year, I started reading Sense and Sensibility. As I read it, I noticed the frivolity of life and the use of the Lord’s Name in vain. As I read, I began to sense a check in my spirit (particularly in “condoning” a book that used my Lord’s Name flippantly) and before long, knew that I could not finish the book. God did not drive me into the dirt because I was reading this book, rather, He gently led me away from it.
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
So…I wouldn’t have read this book six years ago, and I couldn’t read it this year, but there was a difference. Before, it was rooted in my set of rules. Now, it was rooted in the Spirit’s rule in my heart.
Where are your rules rooted? What is your walk based in? The flesh only brings bondage, but the Spirit brings freedom and liberty.

Christmas – Who Are We?

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
With Christmas upon us, many of our thoughts are turned to Jesus Christ and His birth. The other day, I began reading through Matthew again and as I read chapters 1-2, I began to wonder which of those involved with Christ’s birth I am most like?
~Am I like Joseph, who exercised faith in the impossible, esteemed all that God said as complete truth, and obeyed God even in hard circumstances? (Matthew 1:18-25)
~Am I like Mary, who fully embraced God’s will for her life, taking God at His Word? (Luke 1:26-38) Who displayed humility in her adoration to God – no pride that she was chosen to mother God’s Holy Son? (Luke 1:46-55)
~Am I like the shepherds, who accepted God’s interruption in their daily tasks and obeyed? (Luke 2:8-15) Who shared Jesus’ birth with others? (Luke 2:17)
~Am I like Simeon, who was waiting for the coming of Jesus? (Luke 2:25-35)
~Am I like Anna, who shared Jesus with those around her? (Luke 2:36-38)
~Am I like the wise men, who followed God in full faith even in their limited revelation? Who desired to worship God and were sensitive to His leading? (Matthew 2:1-12)
~Am I like the scribes, who knew well the Scriptures in their head, but were far from knowing the truth in their hearts? (Matthew 2:4-6)

~Am I like Herod, who sought answers from the Scriptures – not because he desired to follow God but desired to follow his plan and fleshly purposes? (Matthew 2:1-8)

Unhidden

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“God sees everything.” We have heard this concept, but do we really know it? Reading through Psalm 139:1-16 helps to paint a clearer picture of this concept.

Verses: O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my Thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. (Psalm 139:1-5)
Truth: The Lord knows everything about us. He not only knows who we say we are, but also who we really are – better than we do ourselves. Right now, He is around us seeing what we are doing.

Verses: Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. (Psalm 139:6)
Truth: God, the Creator of the Universe, the Master of the seas, the all-knowing, omnipotent Ruler, know my name! He has bowed down from His Majestic throne to take interest in my life!

Verses: Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. (Psalm 139:7-12)
Truth: There is absolutely nowhere that we can go to hide from God. He sees us wherever we are, at all times. Our sins might stay hidden to those around us, but they are open and revealed before God’s eyes.

Verses: For Thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalm 139:13-16)
Truth: From day one of conception, God saw us. He was working in our lives to mold us as He saw best then, and is still working in our lives today – spiritually and physically – to continually mold us as He sees fit. Because God created us and molded us, we are a marvelous work.

Sit at Jesus’ Feet

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Martha was a “restless will, hurried to and fro.” She was busy, but by her busyness, she missed out on what Jesus said was “that good part.” That good part which Mary chose: simply sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening, learning, but otherwise, doing nothing!!!! (see Luke 10:38-42*)

Often, as single girls, we dream of “Martha lives” as we observe what we perceive as dull nothingness. Whether we desire to be an adoring bride, a mother, a pastor’s wife, a girls’ counselor, or a “busy bee,” we cannot move beyond our single, seemingly stagnant years.
In her Bible study book, Living With Passion and Purpose, Elizabeth George reflected how Jesus spent thirty years before ministering for three years, concluding, “He shows us that, if we desire ministries to others, we must start with preparation . . . and then wait for God to provide the opportunities.”
As single girls, we might have many hopes and dreams for ministry. But. . . now . . . as we live our single years in our parents’ homes without the busyness previously mentioned, we should be content to “sit at Jesus’ feet” and learn and prepare. We have no clue what plans God has for us, but we can learn what God’s Word says. We can gird our armor and spiritually equip ourselves for what lies ahead. As busy brides, mothers, wives, and counselors, we will not always have an hour or two to dive into God’s Word – but we do now.
Instead of frustrating our lives with dreams of busyness, why don’t we relax in the time God has given us and sit at His feet, absorbing His Word? Why don’t we learn as much as we can? Let us not throw away “that good part” that we have now and waste it on dreams and frivolous things.
~~
*“Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42

Refocus

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A young man is hit while riding his motorcycle to college, suffering many broken and fractured bones.
A mom of seven is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer throughout her body.
A man in his mid-fifties is taken down with a stroke and struggling in the hospital, while children and grandchildren watch.
A woman in her thirties suffers from liver disease and sees her husband suddenly pulled under water and carried away by the undertow.
These are four real-life situations that I have heard of from friends in the past few months. The list can go on as we each add our sorrows and difficulties. As we review the list, our hearts can begin to grow weary and depressed.
Jeremiah struggled with the same thing. He watched his beloved city besieged and God’s chosen people taken captive because of their disobedience. In Lamentations 3:1-20, Jeremiah reflects on the miserable sorrow he felt. Then suddenly, verse 21 comes with, “This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope.” Hope? In difficult situations?
Jeremiah suddenly refocused his thoughts. He chose to take his focus off the difficult situations he was facing and replace that focus to God:
“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.”
(Lamentations 3:22-26)
Because of his concentration on God, Jeremiah was able to find hope and joy in any situation.
Are you going through a difficult time right now? Perhaps you need to refocus. Instead of letting the difficulties drag you down and hinder you, count your blessings and reflect on God. Read through the Psalms and copy verses that portray God’s mercy, graciousness, compassion, faithfulness, love, and hope. Praise God for all that He has done for you. Turn your focus from this world and put it on Christ. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

The Key to Forgiveness (Part 5)

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments

{Scroll down to read the first four parts in this series}

Forgiveness Involves More than “I Forgive You.”
Jesus said, “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”(Matthew 18:35, emphasis added)
Forgiveness involves more than us merely mumbling, “I forgive you.” We see clear evidence of this by looking at God’s character.
1) God’s Forgiveness is backed by love
 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17, emphasis added) The whole reason God sent Jesus for us to have Eternal forgiveness, was because of His love for us (1 John 4:10). We can easily accept that love, but we must do more than accept it – we must embrace it as a pattern for our lives. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34, emphasis added) God’s love was manifested in His forgiveness for us. Our love for God should be manifested in our forgiveness towards others (John 14:15).
2) God’s forgiveness always involves a sacrifice
In the Levitical law, God required that an animal be sacrificed (Leviticus 4-7). He would look down from heaven, see the sacrifice, and forgive (Leviticus 4:31). In an action of love that only God can understand, He gave the ultimate sacrifice – His own Son – for our eternal forgiveness (John 3:16). To forgive God’s way, it involves a sacrifice; most often, a personal sacrifice.
3) God never “grades” sin – He just forgives
Sacrifices covered multiple “types” of sin in the Levitical law. There was no offense that could not be forgiven via sacrifice (Leviticus 4:26, 4:35, 5:10, 6:7, 19:22, Number 14:19, 15:28). When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He died for “small” sins of deceit, murmuring, covetousness, gossip, and idle thoughts as well as the “big” sins of dishonor, rebellion, murder, theft, fornication, adultery, and unfaithfulness. Christ died to forgive all sins (Acts 5:31, Acts 13:38, Acts 26:18, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14). If we, through God’s grace, are to embrace Christ-like forgiveness, it means that we must be willing to forgive any type of sin that others commit: lying, thefts, deceit, rebellion, murder, and adultery.
4) God forgives fully without expecting repay
When God sees true repentance, He forgives (1 Kings 8:47-50, Acts 3:19, Acts 5:31, Acts 8:22). He does not hold grudges, wait to see if the person will “prove themselves worthy of forgiveness,” or “get even.” Those are all human actions. As Christians, we are commanded, “If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4) Nothing is said of conditional forgiveness (“Forgive if . . .”). Actually, we are commanded to notretaliate or get even (Proverbs 24:29, Romans 12:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Peter 3:9).
5) God does not “just forgive”
God’s forgiveness reaches far beyond the words, “You are forgiven.” When God forgives, He also heals (2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 103:3), cleanses (1 John 1:9), covers (Psalm 85:2) and forgets (Jeremiah 31:34). Following His example, we should be ready to restore and heal the relationships – not “turn a cold shoulder.” We should be willing to cover the sins of others – not gossip about them and unearth them for others to see.
With these five points (a deeper study on the character of God’s forgiveness would reveal many more), we see that there are some things that we cannotdo with forgiveness:
~Forgive and stay angry (Ecclesiastes 7:9, Ephesians 4:26)
~Forgive and continually bring up the case (Psalm 85:2)
~Forgive and hate our brother (1 John 2:9-12, 1 John 3:15-16)
~Forgive and gossip about our brother (Leviticus 19:16, Proverbs 11:13)
~Forgive and retaliate/get even (Matthew 5:39-42, Romans 12:17, 1 Peter 3:9)
~Forgive and hold a grudge (Leviticus 19:18, Proverbs 24:29, Romans 12:19, James 5:9)
Conclusion
To forgive like Christ forgives us seems difficult if not impossible. But we can be assured that in any trouble we face, we can go to Christ, Who knows exactly how to help us.  “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
With every problem, God gives a solution. Our case is not a “singular exception” but rather something that all men struggle with. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
To forgive is not an easy path, but for the believer, it is the right path. We must daily choose whether or not we will follow the right path that God has set before us.