Turned Upside Down . . . or Right Side Up?

"My family's life has been turned upside down, and I am so looking forward to what God has in store for us," said Joshua after a summit. What turned his family's life upside down? The power of forgiveness. He writes:

God spoke to me in many areas. I was not really looking forward to this team coming to our church, though on the outside I had expressed great joy. The first thing God dealt with me about was pride. I had always been one who could do everything himself, very strong-willed; however, I was shown that in doing so, I was rebelling against God's will for me.

Another issue God dealt with me about was sexual impurity. I had let my eyes, mind, and heart be affected by pornography. I came to a point that I did not want that shame and burden anymore. I had to give that entirely to Christ. I also had to confess that sin to my wife. This was a difficult thing to do, but God's grace is great, and His forgiveness is greater.

As Joshua experienced, forgiveness unlocks the ball and chain of sin. Listen to how God has freed others through forgiveness this fall:

"I deeply, in my soul, know that your team was sent here by God. I have had 23 years of hate and unforgiveness in my life. Every day was a struggle to simply function. But through God's grace, love, and convicting power, you guys have helped me overcome this. I have made things right with those I had done wrong, and forgiveness has been given. I forgave myself, and others forgave me. Now God has forgiven me. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!" (Jerry)

"I would like to thank you for showing me that I was being a disobedient wife. I was controlling, bitter, angry, and not committed to my marriage. I treated my husband badly, yelled at him, and did not let him lead our home. Because of your ladies' luncheons, I realized my sin and asked forgiveness from him and God, and our home is now a home of joy, laughter, peace, thankfulness, and hope! Without you, we would not have made it another year. Because of your willingness to spend time sharing God's Word, you have changed my life and the life of my family, and our church is revived and renewed! How can we thank you for that? We are eternally grateful. May God richly bless each of you!" (Alisha)

"Life Action came at a time when our church was recovering from a major conflict two years ago. Much healing had already taken place, but there was still bitterness that had been buried in the souls of some. My pride and prayerlessness caused me to fail to lead the church through the crisis well. Some members held bitterness toward me. And I had not repented properly for my sin. God moved on me. Two years ago I did not act like a leader. Two years later, with God's power during the summit, I did. I sought forgiveness from the church. They forgave me. Several people came and confessed bitterness toward me. We were able to give and receive forgiveness. I pray this chapter is nearing a close. I look forward to what God chooses to write in the next chapter in the life of our church. What a glorious, forgiving, gracious God we have!" (Pastor)

Amen! God is incredibly gracious and forgiving. Forgiveness can turn your life upside down—or, rather, right side up!

Like these brothers and sisters, are you "[forgiving] as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13b)? Are you experiencing God's gift of freedom through forgiveness?

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