508
My reminder to forgive
About four and a half years ago, I learned how God can speak to us through numbers. It became such a fun adventure each day. What number would I see the most? I would type the numbers into my bible app and see what bible verses would come up. 1010, 818, 333, 922, 911, 222, 1111, 243, and the list goes on and on!! Some of you might have bible verses popping in your head right now. If you don’t take this as your personal invitation to go on an adventure with God.
God was teaching me to pay attention to numbers and patterns. Today, I saw 508 a few different times, and I knew God was bringing up forgiveness. 508 doesn’t have a bible verse connection for me, but I bet I will find one by the end of this! 508 hit a bit more personal. When I first started my career I had a situation with a boss that resulted in me being repositioned to a different work location. The whole thing felt like my world was being turned upside down. All because I had answered questions with the truth. My new work location ended up being my old bosses home town, and I got to see 508 connected to my old bosses name every day for about three years.
The shock I had in seeing the name and number for the first time. The knot in my stomach. Eventually, moving on to numb… indiffernce.. with waves of hurt and pain and even a bit of rage at the injustice of my circumstances. This situation happened almost ten years ago! Yet, still I know 508 represents my old boss and holds an invitation to forgive. It has moved past representing just that one person and always serves as a reminder to let go and let God.
If I’m being honest forgiving was not really on my radar until God really got ahold of my heart. He started showing me 508… and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was being asked to pray for my old boss. Praying and forgiving seemed to go hand in hand for me personally. As I prayed, I was able to release more and more forgiveness. Simple prayers: Jesus please draw near to _____ and show them your love today. Release blessings over them. Let them encounter your goodness today.
With my relationship with Jesus, I do not have the right to withhold forgiveness. If I do, I am putting myself in God’s Judgment Seat. That is a place I am not remotely qualified for!! If Jesus is able to forgive my sins, I have no right to hold onto the sins committed against me. The sins committed against me have already been paid for. My freedom has been paid for!! If I hold unforgiveness in my heart the fruit of bitterness will grow and poison everything it touches. Forgiveness is for us. Forgiveness sets us free first and then opens the door for that person to walk into reconciliation.
I can hear alarm bells going off. I hear all the excuses and reasons to not forgive….
“You don’t know what they did!” “I can’t let them back in my life!” “I would rather die than forgive them.” “They don’t deserve my forgiveness!” “If I forgive them I’m condoning their actions.”
I haven’t walked in your shoes; however, my shoes have plenty of dirt on them. Dirt that I will share on as we continue our journey together. There isn’t anything new under the sun. The details change but the root causes are the same. Abuse, lack of love or affection, lies, cheating, stealing, gossip, abandonment… trama has many faces. The enemy goes after all of mankind because they are created in the image of God. The more intense the attacks the greater your destiny is to bring freedom and healing to others.
Forgiving, is saying I choose to put my heart in Jesus’s hands. He is my protector and provider. Jesus will heal the hurt and pain. I want nothing to stand between our relationship (Jesus + Me). Forgiveness is a huge topic so even though there is more to dive into I believe this is the right ending for today.
Is there someone coming to mind that needs to be forgiven in your heart? Forgiveness takes time and isn’t always a once and done deal. Forgiveness sets you free. As I was writing this I had to stop and go find a bible verse for 508… 5:8 was as close as I got, but it does fit perfectly into this conversation.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”
Matthew 5:8 NKJV
To be pure in heart we must forgive even when it’s hard. It’s through Jesus’s strength that we can forgive. He paid for it all. You can give Him the hurt and pain. Forgiveness will see you free in the most amazing ways.
I know this is a subject that can stir things up. Please leave us comments on your healing journey through forgiveness.