In moments of hurt and adversity, the words of Jesus hold profound wisdom and comfort. Luke 23:24, “Forgive them, Father, for they do not know what they do,” has been a guiding light for me, offering solace and strength in times of turmoil. This revelation is absolutely life changing!!
Letting other people affect my worth
Recently, I found myself grappling with feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness, triggered by the hurtful actions of someone in my life. I allowed their words and behavior to dictate my sense of self-worth, forgetting that my true value lies in my identity as a beloved child of God.
Extend Grace and Understand the Power of Forgiveness
As I meditated on the verse from Luke, I realized the transformative power of forgiveness. Jesus, in his infinite wisdom and compassion, forgave those who persecuted him, acknowledging their ignorance and extending grace. In following his example, I found the courage to release resentment and embrace forgiveness. In Luke 23:24, Jesus says “Forgive them, Father, for they do not know what they do”.
Seeing Through God's Eyes is recognizing that only love exist
Through prayer and reflection, I came to understand that the problem was not with the other person, but with my perception of myself. I had been seeking validation and worth in their opinion, forgetting that my true worth is rooted in my relationship with Jesus. People who are embody into their Christic identity only see love, because that is the lens that God has. The people who are persecuting you are not embody in the love of God, if they were they would not persecute you
Pray with me : I ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart. Please God, extend forgiveness and grace to the ones who are persecuting a child of God. Forgive me God, when I hurted other people I was not aware I was hurting a child of God. Amen.
Loving Others Because We Love Others
Forgiveness is not only an act of grace towards others but also a profound expression of self-love. By forgiving those who have wronged us, we acknowledge our own worth and embrace the unconditional love of God. As children of God, we are called to treat others with the same compassion and respect that He shows us. We need to show forgiveness to the ones who hurts us. They are not aware that they are hurting a child of God.
Conclusion
In closing, let us remember the transformative power of forgiveness and the unyielding love of our Savior. Through the lens of Luke 23:24, we find strength in extending grace to others and reclaiming our worth in Christ. As we journey forward, may we walk in the freedom and confidence that comes from knowing our true identity as beloved children of God.
Journal Prompt to Deepen your Relationship with God
Read Luke 23:24 again. What does it teach you about forgiveness?
We talked about forgiveness being a form of self-love. How does forgiving others contribute to your own well-being?
What steps can you take to begin the process of forgiveness?
How can living in your Christic identity influence your interactions with others?
