What do you have filed away?
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11 NIV
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 2:18-19 NIV
Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Romans 2:19 The Message
A Record of Wrongs
A grievance was brought to my attention. Riled, the offended launched words of mistreatment by a confidant. Words of indignation whirled, exploding with outrage. An injustice I knew full well, for I had a very similar situation filed away within the storehouse of my heart. I felt a strong stirring within me, as these tempestuous words exploded with the wrongdoing. Vivid. Detailed. Accurate. This bombardment of words awakened the dormant emotions within me of long ago.
Within the blare of clamor, the Lord revealed to me that I had been keeping a record of wrong - many records of wrong - allowing a stockpile of emotions to accumulate through an open door of offense. I caught a glimpse of the files of wrongdoing that filled my heart. Files that labeled each specific wrong. Unknowingly, I had recorded the aftermath of old wounds in the archives of my heart. I had forgiven the offense, but not forgotten.
Within the vision, cabinet after cabinet stood before me, brimming with multiple records of wrong. I was drawn to these annals of offense. Like rapid fire, the files erupted. “Pick one,” I heard the adversary of my soul whisper. “Any one will do,” his enticement continued. “ Here, remember this one.” My head turned toward the temptation, as I read the title of the file. I remembered it well. In my mind, I felt justified to hold on to these records. They had become a part of me. I considered blurting out the content of the file, to agree and console with the injured party, but my heart shouted, “NO!” NO WAY! I AM NOT GOING BACK THERE!”
I rallied determined with the Spirit of God not to take the bait. In a decisive moment, I retracted from the enemy forces, resolving not to surrender. This strategy of evil, an enticement, was set to bombard my thoughts at any given opportunity. A time bomb was established, ready to activate the past memories of each misdeed. These files were accessible, for I allowed the files to remain. I had kept a record of wrongs.
Shell-shocked, I stood stunned, at the score of filing cabinets I retained. Each cabinet represented the records I had kept. The files within my heart towered to the heavens. God knew, and as the dust settled, He whispered, “It’s time to move some furniture.”
Through prayer, the furniture - full of files - was cleared from my mind. The newly found chamber then became accessible to be a storehouse for the Kingdom of God.
It is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. It is to God’s glory when our thoughts are freed from the shrapnel of the enemy! Stop warring within. Don’t let the record of wrongs ambush you, blasting hurtful memories. Forgive. Now forget. Move on.
Let us live at peace with one another, releasing the files within our hearts to our Father in heaven. He knows. He sees. He will take care of it. Find rest for your soul.
Move the furniture.
Prayer
Father,
You know the struggle within me. I forgave. How can I forget? What was done to me was real. The hurt. The pain. The shame. The trauma. Betrayal. The repeated offense. Like shrapnel, the explosion of the circumstances have wounded me. My files are full.
If I forget, won’t evil win?
(God would say, “If you forget [ fail to recall, leave behind, stop thinking about, pay no heed to, overlook, shut out, ignore] all the things you have filed - love will triumph.)
Love conquers all.
I submit my desire for revenge to You. I let go of the torment, and remove it’s file from my heart. I declare and believe, my God will take care of it. In humility, I rise up in faith. I stand confident in You, my God. For You will not forget to act on my behalf, bringing rest for my soul.
Lord, I choose to move on, in You, with You, and through You. ( Even if it is only one file at a time, until the cabinets are emptied.) Empowered by Your Spirit, together, we will move some furniture.
Set free, in the Name of Jesus, I choose to remove the filing cabinets that represent all record of wrongs within my heart. I release Your angels - Your movers - to move on my behalf, breaking forth a mighty move of God in my life. For You, Lord, bring freedom to the captive places of my soul. In the authority that Christ has given me, I sweep the court of records clean, and submit this newly found ground to the Lord Jesus Christ. Let the court declare, "This ground is now dedicated as a storehouse for the Lord God Almighty!" Breathe Your life into this once occupied place. Once stagnate, but now redeemed. Case closed.
Fill me afresh with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - that I may be fruitful for the Kingdom of God.
I trust Your timing, and healing hand at work in me. You have proven, time and time again, that You are for me, and not against me. Thank You, Father.
Yes, open me up. Empty me out. I long to be a storehouse for You.
Purify my heart, O God.
Most assuredly, as I keep my mind stayed on You, the files will begin to fade.
The only record remaining … will be love.
Amen
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