I can remember how things were before I really incorporated"spiritual principles" in my actions and life.How I finally realized I didn't just ask my Higher Power,whom I chose to call God,to help me forgive because I really didn't "want' to forgive,kind of grudge to the grave mentality that kept me very sick,so I gave God my permission (sounds a little ego centric huh?)to change the way I feel ,to make me want to forgive.The miracle occurred,not easily,but through His grace I no longer have to hold on to resentments or be unwilling to forgive.Last week I saw a show on HBO called "Wishful Drinking" CARRIE FISHER,one of us, and she says"holding resentments is like drinking poison andwaiting for the other person to die" Oh yeah!!!!!!Thank you dear God for allowing me to feel the love that you have for me so I in turn can also continue to forgive ,most of all "when I don't want to'!!Have a blessed and productive day!!
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Great share, Mike! There's no doubt that through all these years of recovery, you and your God are very close, and I look to strive for that.
I do like the concept of "Giving God Permission" to change the way we feel, and also think. Even though we were never really in charge, we did hold onto the reins for dear life, and letting go of them completely is not something we can do all at once. I grew up with horses, and I like to think of it as though I was holding onto the reins trying to yank the horse in my direction, even though God was leading the horse from the front the whole time. lol I just couldn't see Him, so no wonder I was so terrified to let go of the reins.
I heard someone say that the ultimate practice of forgiveness is to be able to forgive someone who does not want, nor has asked, for my forgiveness.
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~Your Higher Power has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.
Thanks for the post, Mike. I found that there was really no way in which I could get rid of my resentments. No matter how much I wished for them to go, without God's help it was impossible. My first thing is to get rid of resentment. I pray until it is removed and replaced by compassion for the other person. It does not matter how the thing started.
to change the way I feel ,to make me want to forgive.The miracle occurred,not easily,but through His grace I no longer have to hold on to resentments or be unwilling to forgive.Last week I saw a show on HBO called "Wishful Drinking" CARRIE FISHER,one of us, and she says"holding resentments is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die" Oh yeah!!!!!!Thank you dear God for allowing me to feel the love that you have for me so I in turn can also continue to forgive ,most of all "when I don't want to'!!Have a blessed and productive day!!