Unconditional Love and Forget Not His Benefits

Blogs
I would like to combine Cheri’s blog "Forget not His benefits" and Ryan’s on "Unconditional Love"
Here’s my story
A few years ago I was nearly destroyed by the actions of someone. This person did something that totally wiped me out, embarrassed me beyond feeling and completely removed all respect I had for this person. I have always found it hard to love someone I did not respect. What this person did was not illegal or immoral, but went against something that I held so dear. My first reaction was a huge mixture of anger and hurt. I chose not to forgive this person. I chose to drop the relationship. And in making those choices, without saying so or realizing it, I chose to become bitter. My feeling was I will not let this interfer with any other part of my life. Bad mistake. I began to see that this unforgiveness and bitterness began to seep, spill and slosh into every area of my life, my relationship with others, my thought life and my ability to function normally. I was terrified of bitterness. I do not have the words to express my terror of the bitterness I knew would destroy me. I began to seek a way to forgive not because I wanted to forgive but because of the consequences . I went to Bible studies, I asked for help from some people that I knew who had forgiven people for things much worse than what I had experienced. I prayed, but the unforgiveness in my heart hindered my prayers. Nothing seemed to work. One night, after weeks of misery, in total desperation I wrote on a small piece of torn paper. "God I do not know how to forgive, submit or how to be humble. Please help me." My story from that point took a turn. I cannot explain it. I do not have the words, but a drastic change took place. Not in this person who had hurt me but in me. You would think that at 70+ I would have had all the "Turning Points" in my life I needed but not so. This became a wonderful "Turning Point." My whole attitude toward this person changed. I found words coming out of my mouth that were sweet, kind and humble. God gave me "Unconditional Love" for this person. Only God, is all I can say. And back to the "Forget not His Benefits" ….. I pray I will never ever "Forget His Benefits" of forgiveness and the change He made in my life. I shutter to think of the person I could have become – bitter and angry. I do praise Him for His benefits and His "Unconditional Love." May God be PRAISED for His goodness.