dancing through life! - thewellnessworkshop.org davis, the wellness workshop, 2 be free! each week...

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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BeFree!Whenyouholdresentmenttowardanother,youareboundtothatpersonorconditionbyanemotionallinkthatisstrongerthansteel.Forgivenessistheonlywaytodissolvethatlinkandgetfree.

-CatherinePonder

I'velearnedthatwhenyouhaveanargumentwithyourspouse,thefirstonewhosays,'I'msorryIhurtyourfeelings;pleaseforgiveme,'isthewinner.

-fromLiveandLearnandPassitOn-age51

Dancing Through Life!

Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past.

- Thanks to Mike D.

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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BeFree!

EachweekofourDancingThroughLifeprogramwefocusonadifferentlifestylehabitthatwillassistyouincontinuingtopursuegoodhealth.BeingAwareofyourfoods,thewayyouspendyourtime,when,howwhyandwhatyoueatandhowdifferentfoodsmakeyoufeelkeepyouontrackeatingfoodsforhealthnottomeetemotionalorsocialneeds.BeingEngagedintheactivitiesandprocessesoflifeisthemostimportantpartofLivingRichandavoidingafast-foodlifestyle.Beengagedinyourrelationships,yourwork,youractivities,yourfoodandyoureating–stopmulti-taskingtheminutesawayandtotallymissingoutonlife.

ThisweekwefocusonBeingFree.AmajorcontributortodiseaseinAmericaistheeffectonthebodyofresentment,whichleadstounforgiveness,whichleadstobitterness.TheBibleaddressesbitternessinseveralscripturepassagesstating,“bitternessrotsthebones,bitternessislikearootthatspringsupanddefilesmanypeople”.Thestressfrombitternesscausesheartdisease,depressionandmentalillnessandamyriadofotherhealthproblems.

Thefollowingexercisehasthepotentialtosetyoufreefromyearsandeventhehabitofresentment,bitternessandunforgivenessandactuallyrestoreyourjoyandpeace.Togetthemostoutofthisexercise:

1. ReadthroughthestoryandtheexerciseandaskGodtoopenyourheart.

2. Findaquietplacetodotheexercise,aplacewhereyoucanbefreetospeakoutloud,tothinkwithoutbeingbotheredandtoexpressemotionfreelyifitcomes.

3. Allowenoughtimetocompletetheexercise.Youmayhavemanyoffensesyouneedtoaddressandthismaytakemorethanonesession.Workthroughtheonethatisthefreshestandpainfulfirst,thengobackthroughtheothers.

4. Completetheentireexercise;don’tskipsteps.

HowOftenMustIForgiveMyBrother?

IntheBiblepassage,Matthew18:21-35,someoneaskedJesushowmanytimeshehadtoforgive.Jesusanswerwas70x7,forthesameoffence!Thatseemsimpossible.Intherestofthepassage,Jesustellsastoryofamanwhowasprobablyataxcollectorandwascalledbythekingtobringinthemoneyhecollected(probablyhundredsofthousandsofdollarsintodayseconomy).Themandidnothavethemoney(whichwouldindicateheusedithimself–embezzlement).Itwasaverylargesumsothekingorderedhimandhisfamilytobesoldintoslaverytopaythedebt.Themanbeggedformercyandthekingwassomovedwithcompassionheforgavenotonlytheactofnothavingthemoney(theft)butalsothedebtwasforgiven,hedidn’thavetopaythemoneyback!

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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Jesusgoesontosaythatthissamemanwentoutandfoundoneofhisfriendswhoowedhimaverysmallamountofmoney,like$5.00.Hegrabbedthemanbythethroatanddemandedpayment.Whenhisfrienddidn’thavethemoneytopay,themanhadhisfriendthrowninprison!Hehadbeenforgivenamilliondollardebtandyetthrewhisfriendinprisonforameaslyfivebucks!Whenthekingheardofthishewasveryangry.Heputthemaninprisontobeworkedandtormenteduntiltheentiredebtwasrepaid.

Ilovethisstorybecauseitillustratesthetwoaspectsofforgiveness.Theactsdoneagainstusandthelossesincurredasaresultoftheacts.Theactinthisstorywasprobablyembezzlement.Thelosswasthelargeamountofmoney.Thekingforgavethemanboththeactandthelosses.Hedidn’tgetpunishedforstealingandhedidn’thavetopaythemoneyback,untilherefusedtoforgivehimself.

Manytimeswehaveactsdoneagainstusandasmatureadultswecanreasonoutwhysomeonewouldhurtorbetrayorevenrobusandforgivetheactdoneagainstus.Thedifficultpartislivingwiththelossthathappensasaresultofthoseacts,theday-to-daylosseskeepbringingupresentment,unforgivenessandbitterness.

Iexperiencedthisinmyownlifethroughmyparentsdivorce.Myfatherwasapastorandthespiritualheadofourfamily.WhenIwas30yearsoldmyfather’smoralfailureendedmyparentsmarriageandbroughtastormofconsequencestomyfamilyandmysiblings.AlthoughIwasabletoforgivemyfatherfortheactofadulteryanddivorce,thelossesweresoenumerableandoverwhelmingthatafter9yearsIfoundmyselfangryeverydayaboutsomethingrelatedtomyparentsdivorce.Thelosses.Mychildrendidn’thavegrandparents;Ididn’thaveparentsbecausemyparentswereintheprocessoftryingtorecoverfromtheirlosses.

Iwasteachingawomen’sBiblestudyandthelessonwasonforgiveness.Tobehonest,Iwasnotintoitatall,normallyIwouldbewellstudiedandoverpreparedtoteacheachweek,however,Ijustcouldn’tgetintothislesson.ThemorningofthelessonItriedtogetupearlytostudy.IwassoweakIcouldhardlyholdthehairdryertodrymyhair.IwaspuzzledbutjusttoldtheLord,“youwillhavetoteachthislessonbecauseIcan’t”andthathedid.AswereadMatthew18thetruthbegantounfoldaboutforgivingnotonlytheactbutalsothedebt,orthelosses.TheLorddirectedustomakealistoftheactsdoneagainstusandthelossesassociatedwiththoseacts.Justfromtheactofmyparent’sdivorceIhadtwoandahalfpages,withtwocolumnsperpage,oflossesandbelieveme,Ididn’thavetospendalotoftimethinkingaboutthem,theyjustpouredoutonthepages.

TheLordthendirectedustogoovereachactandlossandspeakforgivenessintothatsituation.Notoutofemotionorevenwholeheartedly,butoutofobediencetoHisword;Ididthiswiththeattitudeofobedienceakintopickingupmysocksoffthefloor,itneededtobedonesoIdidit.IdidnotFEELforgiving,IdidnotparticularlyWANTtodoit,butIdidit.

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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WhenIstoodupfromthatstudytimeIwassuddenlycoveredinbloodfrommywaisttomymidthighs.Unknowntome,IhadtumorsinmyuterusthathadjustburstandIwashemorrhaging.TheyrushedmetothehospitalwhereIspentseveraldaysandthensentmehometorecoupbeforesurgery.ThefirstnightinthehospitalIwokeuptoseemyfathersittingatthefootofmybed.Ihadnotspentmuchtimewithhimovertheprevious9yrs.Hebeganpouringhisheartouttomeabouttheregretinhislife,notmakingexcusesbutjustregretoverhisdecisions.Ashespoke,myheartwasfilledwithforgivenessforhim.IlearnedthesecondprincipleGodhadformethatday,Firstcomesobedience,andthencomesfeelingsofjoy.

Mostofusthink,“WhenIFEELlikedoingsomething,thenIwillbesuccessful”.ThetruthisthatRIGHTACTIONbringsRIGHTTHINKING,whichbringsRIGHTFEELING.Thefeelingsaremanytimesthelastthingtocome,buttheydocome.

ThereisaspiritualdynamicthathappenswhenweareobedienttoGod,strongholdsarebroken.Thatdayastrongholdwasbrokeninmylifeandinthelifeofmyfamily.Within9months,myfathercalledameetingofourentirefamily,includingmymotherandrepentedandourfamilyrelationshipwasrenewed.Itisnotperfectasitcouldhavebeenwithoutdivorce,butthestrongholdofunforgivenessisnolongerthere.

Howdoesthisapplytoadetoxificationprogram?

Youaremosttoxicnotfromenvironmentalfactorsbutfromthetypesofprocessedfoodsyoufeedyourselfandtheunprocessedemotionsyoulivewithdaily.Emotionaltoxicityfromresentment,unforgivenessandtheresultingbitternesswillcontinuetodeteriorateyourhealthevenifyouremovefoodandenvironmentaltoxins.EVERYONEcarriesinjuriesfrombetrayals,woundsandattacks.

ThefollowingexercisewillhelpyoutoidentifytheACTSdoneagainstyouthathaveresultedinresentment,unforgivenessandbitternessANDtheresultinglosses.ThisexerciseisbasedcompletelyonthetruththatGod’sWord,TheBibleisourultimateauthorityandthatJesusChristisGod’sonlyson,Jesusdiedonthecrosstopayforoursin,thatwhenweacceptChrist’ssacrificeforoursinwebecomechildrenofGodandoursinisutterlywipedoutandforgiven.

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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Exercise:UsethesheetonthenextpagetolisttheACTSdoneagainstyouandtheresultingLOSSES.

ExamplefromCeleste’slife:

ACTS LOSSESInjuries,wounds,betrayals,abuses Whathappenedasaresult

NMakeyour

ACTS LOSSES

My Dad had an affair w/ my mom’s best friend My dad divorced my mom My parents were self-absorbed in their own problems and no longer available as parents OR grandparents

I Lost faith in my dad’s integrity I lost my family home, holidays, security I lost my resources for parenting/marriage My children lost their grand parents I feared my marriage would end in divorce

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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Thenextpartofthisexerciseismostimportant!Verballyextendingforgivenessforactsandlosses.Inthistimedon’tsay,Godpleasehelpmetoforgive,ormakemeforgiveorwordslikethat.GodwillhelpyoubutitisYOURCHOICEtoextendforgivenessandspeakitout.

Ifyouarefeelingoverwhelmedbythis,pleasedon’tgiveup!Let’stalkaboutit.Manypeoplefindthekeytoahugelifechangeinthisexercise.Youmayhavetoomuchtodoallatonce,startwiththefirstthing,thengotothenext.Onestepatatime.

GoThroughtheListofActsAfteryouhaveyourlistmade,gothrougheachactand,asanactofyourwill,notnecessarilybecauseyouFEELlikeit,say“Ichoosetoforgive______for_______________.”

NowGoThroughtheListofLossesThenaddresstheresultinglosseswiththesetypesofstatements:“Ichoosetoforgive___________fortheloss_________.

Praythrougheachactandeachloss.

Everytimethelossarises,youmayneedtomakethatstatementagain,eventuallytheywillnotrisewiththevengeancetheyhavehadinthepastandmayevencease.Ichooseforgive______________fortheloss__________.

TakingitFurther

InhisbookTotalForgivenessR.T.Kendallstates,

“theultimateproofoftotalforgivenesstakesplacewhenwesincerelypetitiontheFathertoletthosewhohavehurtusoffthehook-eveniftheyhavehurtnotonlyus,butalsothoseclosetous.”

JesusmodeledthisinHisprayeronthecrossLuke23:34“Fatherforgivethemfortheyknownotwhattheydo”.Isn’tthattruewiththosewhohurtus,orthosewhomwehurt,noonecanevertrulyknowtheimpactouractionshaveonothers.Evenwhentheintentionistohurtsomeoneelseinanevilway,suchasarapeormurder,theperpetratorhasnorealideaorknowledgeofhowdeeplytheyarewoundingothers.

RemembertheBiblepassagewestartedwith,Matthew18:21-35?ThiswasastorythatJesusHimselfwastelling;JesussaidthemanwhodidnotforgivewasturnedovertothetormentersuntileverythingHEowedwaspaidandJesusendedtheparablewiththesewords:“SoMyheavenlyFatherwilldotoyouifeachofyou,fromhisheart,doesnotforgivehisbrotheristrespasses”.I’vecertainlyexperiencedthetormentofunforgiveness,it’sa

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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stenchthatisalwayswithyou,regardlessofhowyoutrytocoveritupormakeitlookbetter,itisalwaystheremakingitselfknown.

TheFinalStep

ReleasethepersonfromowingyouanythingandaskGodtoblessthem.

JesustellsusinMatthew5:43-48

43“Youhaveheardthelawthatsays,‘Loveyourneighborandhateyourenemy.44ButIsay,loveyourenemies!Prayforthosewhopersecuteyou!45Inthatway,youwillbeactingastruechildrenofyourFatherinheaven.Forhegiveshissunlighttoboththeevilandthegood,andhesendsrainonthejustandtheunjustalike.46Ifyouloveonlythosewholoveyou,whatrewardisthereforthat?Evencorrupttaxcollectorsdothatmuch.47Ifyouarekindonlytoyourfriends,howareyoudifferentfromanyoneelse?Evenpagansdothat.48Butyouaretobeperfect,evenasyourFatherinheavenisperfect.

PuttingitintoWordsHeavenlyFather,Ibring________________________toyou,Ihaveforgivenboththeacts_____________________havedoneagainstmeandthelossesIcontinuallyincurasaresultofthoseacts.Iherebycancelanydebt__________________________owesme,whetheritisadebtofwords,admissionofguilt,ofpossessions,ofpersonalrestorationofanykind,______________________nolongerowesmeanything,Ireceivefullreimbursementfromyou,Father,howeveryouchoosetogiveit.Ialsoaskyoutorichlybless__________________,meettheireveryneedandpouroutyourloveandforgivenessoverthem.AsyourchildIaskyoutoforgive_________________________andrestorethemtoyourself.InJesusName,Amen.

HaveYouForgivenYourself?Severalweeksaftercompletingthisexerciseoneclientrealizedshecarriedalotofangerandhadformanyyears.Thisexerciseshowedherthatmostofherangerwastowardsherself.Ifshehadjust…………NoticeJesussaidthemanwasturnedovertothetormentoruntileverythingHEOWED(theonewhodidnotforgive)waspaid.Canyouimaginetheselfcondemnationyouwouldlivewithdailyifyouwerethisman?Hehadbeencompletelyforgivenofthedebtandtheactshehaddoneagainsttheking.Then,forthepriceofaStarbuckscoffee,hegothimselfandhisfamilythrownintoaworkcamp,wheretheywerealsotormented,untilthisenormousdebt.Whataloadtocarry.Thisspeakstoanotherdifficulty,ForgivingYourself.Thegreatesttormentisnot-knowingwhatsomeoneelsedidtous,butratherknowingthesinfulreactionswesowedasaresult.

Manypeoplefindthatforgivingthemselvesisthemostdifficultpartofreleasingresentment,bitternessandunforgiveness.Infact,theinabilitytoforgiveoneselfoften

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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preventsusfromextendingforgivenesstoothers.JesushadsomethingtosayaboutthataswellinLuke6:37,R.T.Kendallsayshepraysthisforhimselfonadailybasis.

“37“Donotjudge,andyouwillnotbejudged.Donotcondemn,andyouwillnotbecondemned.Forgive,andyouwillbeforgiven.38Give,anditwillbegiventoyou.Agoodmeasure,presseddown,shakentogetherandrunningover,willbepouredintoyourlap.Forwiththemeasureyouuse,itwillbemeasuredtoyou.”

Ihavehadabrokenrelationshipwithanotherfamilymemberfortwelveyears.Myattemptstorepairthatrelationshiphavebeenrejectedanumberoftimesandagaininthepastyear.WhenItriedtomakerepairsthroughalettertheresponseIreceivedwasImustadmitmy“wrongdoing”.ThiswasaninterestingresponsebecauseIhonestlydidnotknowwhatIhaddonewrong.TheLordwasfaithfultorevealtomethatmygreatestwrongwashavingarelationshipwiththispersonthatwasbasedonexcludingothers,judgingothersandspeakingevilagainstothersinouryouth.Icouldhardlyadmitthatasmywrongdoingtothisindividualandexpectreconciliation,buttherealizationthatatwenty-sevenyearrelationshipwasbuiltonthesethingsoverwhelmedmewithasenseofguilt.IhadtoasktheLordtoforgivemeforthisuglyandhorribleattitudeIfosteredandactuallyloved.Theuglinessofthisattitudegavemeanewsenseofself-loathingandguilt.IhadtocometogripswithatruthIhaveknownformanyyears.

It’snotmyjobtoforgivemyself.ItismyjobtoaccepttheforgivenessprovidedformethroughJesusdeathonthecross,thatisitplainandsimple,acceptChrist’sforgivenessandknowthatonlyHISbloodcancovermysin.Ican’tpayanysortofpenancetopayformysin,Jesusdidit,Imusthumblemyselfandreceivehisgiftofforgiveness.

1John1:8-9saysitverysimply:

8Ifweclaimtobewithoutsin,wedeceiveourselvesandthetruthisnotinus.9Ifweconfessoursins,heisfaithfulandjustandwillforgiveusoursinsandpurifyusfromallunrighteousness.

WemustAcceptJesusForgiveness.IhadtoadmittoGodthatIhadanuglyandsinfulattitudeinmyrelationshipwiththisperson,confessmysintohimaskHISforgivenessandthenRECEIVEHISforgivenessascompletepayment.

PuttingItIntoWords

Praythisorsomethinglikeitinyourownwordstobefullyfree:

HeavenlyFather,Icometoyouasabroken,humble,guiltysinner.Ihavedonemanythingsinthepowerofmyflesh,manythingstosatisfymyowndesiresandmanythingstodishonoryouandotherpeople.SpecificallyFatherIfeelverysorryandguiltyfor______________________________andIaskyoutoforgivemeforboththeactthatIhavedoneagainstyouand_______________________________andthelosseswehaveallincurredasaresultofthoseacts.

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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FatherGod,IreceivetheforgivenessprovidedformebyJesusdeathonthecross.IaskyoutocoverthissinandallmysinwiththebloodofJesus,andtopurifymyheart,mymindandmylifefromALLinjusticeandunfairness,forgivemeforcrossingthelineofloveandbringingharmtoothers,forgivemeformyrebellionagainstyouandauthorityyouhaveplacedovermeandfinallyFather,forgivemeformyshortcomingsasahumanbeing,forthetimeswhenIreverttowalkinginthefleshandnotinthespirit.

IreceivethebloodofJesustocoverallformsofsinandfailureinmylife.IrenouncethespiritoffearandprideandsaythattheyaretogofrommylifeinthenameofJesusandbythepowerofHisbloodandtheyarenottoreturn.Yourwordstatesin2Timothy1:7that “God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind”. Today and from this day forward I receive YOUR POWER, YOUR LOVE and a SOUND MIND directed by YOUR SPIRIT.

IaskyouFatherinheaventopourintomyheartandmindthesamespirityoupouredintoJesus,Isaiah11:2,“TheSpiritoftheLORDwillrestonHim,Thespiritofwisdomandunderstanding,Thespiritofcounselandstrength,ThespiritofknowledgeandthefearoftheLORD.” Heavenly Father, Today I enter into covenant with you. I receive my new identity as a much-loved child of God and a grateful follower of Jesus Christ. I give you my identity as a fearful, prideful, broken person and I receive YOUR identity as a much-loved child of God, the King of the Universe. I receive you as the Authority in my life. I give you authority in my life and the lives of those who I lead. I have no authority in my human flesh but I receive the authority of the blood of Jesus and the living Word of God to cleanse, repair and reconcile others and myself to God, my Father. I receive you as my Protector. I give you my inability to protect myself and I put myself into your hands as my protector. Protect me from the deceitfulness of sin, of my own heart, of the destroyer, Satan, the world and ungodly people. I receive you as my Provider. I give you my inability to provide for myself. I believe you when you say in your Word in Philippians 4:19 that YOU will provide ALL my needs according to your riches and not my resources. I receive your riches and possessions. I give you my desires for the things of this world. I ask you to release me from all forms of darkness in my life. I ask you to give me the desire to be possessed with and compelled by the Love of Christ

I ask this and receive it in the name of Jesus, your son. Amen.

Ifyouchoosetodothisexercisetogainfreedomfromresentment,unforgivenessandbitternessyouwillseesomeamazingthingshappeninyourlife!Asacovenantpartner

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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withGodthroughJesuswehavehimwatchingourback.Callonhimdailyforyourself,yourfamily,yourwork,yourlifeandyougiveyourselftowatchingoutforGod’sbestinterest.

ANote:Everypersonwhogoesthroughthisprogramfeelsthisisanimportantstepsome,however,arereluctanttodothisstepbecauseoffear.Theyhaveputtheir“list”intheclosetoftheirheartforsolongtheydon’twanttotakeitout,theywouldprefertoforgetit.Theproblemis,whileputaway,thesethingsarenotforgottenandtheywreakhavoconourbodies.Withoutexception,everypersonwhohasdonethisexercisehasexperiencedahugeamountoffreedom,peaceandhealingastheyhavecompletedit.

Myclientswhodonotdothisexercisehavelaterrealizedtheirhealthprogressis“stuck”atthispointandeventuallydecidetocompleteitwithlotsofloveandencouragement.

WedonothavetodoANYTHINGbyourselves.TheBibletellsusthatJesusisalwaysrightbesideusandHISforgivenessisreadilyavailabletouswhenweaskforit.

BringOntheDessert!Oneofthebestpartsofthisexerciseisrestoration.Goddoesnotaskustoforgiveandforgetandjustdealwithit.Hepromisesrestoration.Whathegives,asamazingandimpossibleasitmayseem,isalwaysbetterthanwhatwearehangingonto!

Someclientsgethungupontherestorationpart.Theydon’twanttoordon’tfeelsaferestoringthebrokenrelationship.ThatisnotnecessarilywhatweareaskingGodtorestore.WhatweareaskinghimtorestorearetheLOSSES.Therestorationoflossesmayormaynotcomeinrestoringthebrokenrelationships.Somerelationshipsshouldnothavebeenandthereforedonotneedrestoration.Otherrelationships,liketheoneImentionedinmyownlife,werebuiltonungodlyprinciplesandneedtoberenewed,notrestored.

Thethingtorememberis,itisourjobtobeobedientandforgive.ItisGod’sjobtorestore.WHATEVERandHOWEVERherestoreswillbebetterthanwecanimagineanditwillbringjoyandprovisionnotmorepain.

IntheBibleinthebookofJoel,chapter2GodtellsuswhatHeisableandwillingtorestore.

Joel2:25-27says“Iwillrestoretoyoutheyearsthelocusthaseaten,thecankerworm,thecaterpillar,thepalmerworm,thegreatarmywhichIsentamongyou.Andyouwilleatinplentyandbesatisfied,andpraisethenameoftheLordyourGodthathathdealtwondrouslywithyou:andmypeopleshallneverbeashamed.AndyoushallknowthatIaminyourmidstandthatIamtheLordyourGodandnoneelse:andmypeopleshallneverbeashamed.”

Whatdoesthispromise?Thewormsthatarelistedinthispassagearethedevelopmentalstagesoflocust.Whenthereisalocustplaguetheycomeinstages.

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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Thefirststageoflocustcomesintoafieldofgrainwhenitisreadyforharvestanditshearsofftheheadsofgrain.Soundfamiliar?Itseemsasthoughsomeofthegreatestoffensesinourlivescomeatourmostfertiletimes,robbingusoftherewardsofourlabor.

Thenextstageofdestructionhappenswhenthechewinglocustcome,theygothroughafieldandtaketheremainingstalksdowntotheground,asiftherewerenothinggrowinginthefirstplace.

Thefinalstageofutterdestructionistheburrowinglocuststhatgoesintothesoilanddestroytheroot.Thisisespeciallydestructiveincropslikealfalfathatdon’thavetobereplantedforsixyears.

ThisBibleillustrationisapictureoftotal,irreparabledestructionandyetGodsayseventhoseyearsofdestruction,ateverylevelpossible,canandwillberestoredbyGodhimself.ThewordLordinthispassageisthewordfortheHebrewJehovah,whichmeansSelfExistentOne.

TheSelfExistentOne….YourGod.ThatisamuchbetterresourcethantheAmericaneconomyorarelationshipwithapersonwhohaslimitedresources.Godhasnoboundaryonresources.Nomatterwhatyourlossesare,hewillrestorenotonlythelossesbutalsotheyearsandyouwilleatinplentyandbesatisfiedandtherewillbenoshameattachedtoyourlife!

Theamazingpartisallwehavetodoisletgoofourself-willandourownunforgiveness.Wedon’thavetoworkupanykindofmagicformula,doanychants,payanymoneyordoanykindofgoodworks.AllHeasksustodoisreceiveHisloveandputourselvesintothehandsofthelovingcreatoroftheuniverse.

Whereelsecanyougetsuchrestoration?AskGodforrestoration:Youhaveextendedforgivenessforactsandlossesdoneagainstyou.NowgobackoverthoselossesandaskGodtorestorethemHisway.ItisevenOKtotellhimyouaren’ttoosureaboutallthisandyoumayhavesomeangeraboutyourpast.TellHimyouwanttobelievebutarehavingahardtimebelieving.AskHimtoopenyoureyessoyoucanseetherestorationasithappensandwhenitdoeshappen………………….BeJoyful!BeThankful!BeFree!

PutitintoWordsHeavenlyFather,Iwillcontinuetobeobedientandwalkinforgiveness.Youknowtheutterdestructioninmylife,especiallyrelatedto__________________________________.TodayIaskforandreceivethekindofrestorationyoutalkaboutinyourWordinJoel2.Ireceivebacktheyearsthathavebeenlost,howeveryouchoosetogivethem.Ireceivetheabilitytoeatinplentyandbesatisfied.Iwillnolongerallowacriticalorboastfulspiritorattitude.Iwillnolongerwalkthroughlifeinshame;Iamnowclean,pureandforgiven.IbelievethatYouarewithmeandIamnotaloneandIwillpraiseyoudailyforyourpresenceinmylife.InJesusName,Amen.

Celeste Davis, The Wellness Workshop, www.thewellnessworkshop.org

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PraisetheLordforthefreedomyounowfeel.JesusinJohn16:3333“Ihavetoldyouthesethings,sothatinmeyoumayhavepeace.Inthisworldyouwillhavetrouble.Buttakeheart!Ihaveovercometheworld.”Youwillencounteroffensesfromothersmanytimesinyourlifeandyoumayhaveacontinuallossfromsomeoftheactsdoneagainstyou.Whetheroffensesorlossesareoldornew,whentheyarise,quicklyforgiveboththeactandtheloss;asktheFathertoforgivethepeopleinvolvedandaskGodtoblessthemandgiveyouHisloveforthem.ItispossibletoBeJoyful,BeThankfulandBeFree.