Christopher Banol
Whenever you hold onto a hurt, the bitterness makes your heart grow hard and cold. You become defensive and even God’s love can’t get through to you. You’ve got to let it go. Don’t turn from Him, turn to Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts that seek healing and redemption. Often, we find ourselves clinging to hurts and grievances, allowing bitterness to take root within us. This bitterness acts as a barrier, causing our hearts to grow hard and cold, closing us off from the warmth of Your love and the compassion You provide. Lord, we acknowledge that in our defense mechanisms, we sometimes shut You out, believing we are protecting ourselves. Yet, in reality, we are distancing ourselves from the very source of hope and comfort.
Help us, O Lord, to recognize when we are holding onto past wounds. Teach us the importance of letting go, for it is in surrendering our pain that we truly find freedom. We seek Your guidance to turn towards You instead of turning away. Enable us to lay our burdens at Your feet, trusting in Your grace and mercy to soothe our souls. May we not allow past hurts to shape our present or our future, but instead, let Your love redefine who we are.
As we meditate on this truth, remind us of the power of forgiveness, both for ourselves and for those who have wronged us. Grant us the courage to extend grace, not only to others but also to ourselves. Help us to trust in Your divine plan, knowing that You are always working for our good, even in our pain. We pray that the healing process begins in our lives today, softening our hearts so that we may be open to receive and share Your unconditional love.
Lord, we ask for the fortitude to walk this path of healing. When bitterness tries to creep back in, help us to refocus on Your goodness and take our thoughts captive. May Your peace that surpasses all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We thank You for Your faithfulness and for the promise of restoration. In Jesus’ name, we pray with all our hearts. Amen.
