Will You Be Made Whole? (Part 2 - Forgiveness)

If you read my blogpost from last night, I made a reference to some hindrances to divine healing: unbelief, sin, traditions of men, lifeless words and fear. There's an additional hindrance that I'd like to focus this blogpost on: unforgiveness.

Most unforgiveness that people have stems from anger that's in their heart. Anger is no different than worry from this perspective: Jesus summarized the last ten verses of Matthew 6 to not be anxious (or worry) about what's to come tomorrow. Most people who are anxious, worried, or fearful will be the ones who say, "I got to have something to worry about." The same holds true for an angry person (or for someone who has a mental block caused by the devil), they will say, "I got to have something to be angry about," or "I got to have somebody to be angry with." For many this is normal, even though it truthfully is dysfunction. If the devil can cause us to isolate ourselves, the devil can come in and bring its cousins (pride, arrogance, bitterness, unforgiveness and confusion) - and for some, he will bring decoys (via the opposite sex who's straight from the pit of hell) with the sole purpose of destroying you and your faith (remember he comes to steal, kill and destroy you spiritually, financially, physically, mentally and emotionally).

Ever since last Monday, I have been talking about offenses on social media (as my morning and evening posts). One thing we need to understand is that offenses will come and because we're in the last days (Matthew 24 & 2 Timothy 3), it will get worse (in fact, it's probably the new normal). If we subscribe to this new normal, we will never be free. We will end up with what I call the BUG (bitterness, unforgiveness & grudges). So this will definitely keep you from being whole as I discussed in my prior blogpost. You know what's sad, many of us know that these are hindrances to our divine healing (which is rightfully ours), but we voluntarily choose to live with the BUG. If we're not careful, offenses can cause is to miss our true destiny. Watch this: the very one who offended you, could be the very one to bless your life and launch you to your next level. This is why it's very important to forgive. Not solely or that, but really to free you, your heart from stress, and you are free to listen to God as you surrender your hurts, pains, bitterness, unforgiveness and grudges. He already knows what's troubling you, and He is waiting and ready to heal you. When you are free from anger and unforgiveness, there's a peace that comes to your spirit. There are some that say they forgive, but their hearts are so callous to where their attitude is like "nobody better cross me like that again, I will get cray cray and let you have a piece of my mind." The minute that happens, the devil gained a foothold because the inch you have him.

Joyce Meyer said something so profound as it relates to this topic. I will paraphrase a small quote from her book The Battlefield of The Mind. This is the case where the daughter (Mary) ended up with a stronghold from the devil that actually came from her father. The end result is that it would then cement her thoughts. I said that to say that it's not always our fault as to how the stronghold came. Is it fair that you are suffering for what somebody placed on you that could destroy who you are? No, although you now have the choice to cast it to the One who wants it so you can forgive to live. I dedicate this segment to anyone who has been physically abused or sexually abused knowing that this month is sexual assault awareness month:

There was a father who had a domineering spirit and he always vented his anger on the mother and Mary. The father treated his sons as golden children but the women in the house were targets of his wrath. By the time Mary was 16, she was brainwashed by the lies the devil told her such as "Men really think they are something. They are ALL alike; you can't trust them. They will hurt you and take advantage of you." As a result, when Mary left home, she resolved by saying "nobody is going to push me again." The devil was waging war on the battlefield of her mind. Joyce nailed it when she said if you play those thoughts constantly for years, don't think that she's going to be the sweet submissive wife." How many of you can testify to this?

I brought that up because we must cover our children, and each other via prayer and intercession, as well as to live peaceably with everyone (with a clean heart). I encourage you to be vocal about what you went through but go through the steps to heal (this includes forgiving yourself - which I discuss near the end).

So, what is an offense? I heard someone say that it's a feeling of being upset, irritated, hurt by something or someone did or said. 

Let's briefly talk about those who offend you. If you are one who intentionally tries to hurt someone, you truthfully are leaguing with the devil. If you are wondering when they will receive justice, don't worry about that. Forgive them and know that if they don't receive it in this life, they will when it's judgment day. I can promise you that because God said He will.

If you are offended, you actually have the right to be offended. The key is to seek God as to what you should do about it, but at the same time, confess the hurt you feel. The devil wants you to stew on it until it gets hot and boiled, to burn somebody to the point they're scorched but you're still hurt due to the anger still lingering. If you have to confront, do it in a spirit of love. Dealing with offense and anger is critical to being made whole. 

Using me as an example, in order to heal, I have to love and walk in forgiveness. This requires humility and dying to self. And yes, the MayneMan still has some dying to do and that's a process in itself, but I'm willing and determined to go through it (in fact, I'm in it now, and sharing parts of the process with you like this one - as this is part of my process). I have to understand that people may intentionally try to hurt me and some may not even know they are hurting me (whether it's perceived by a filter of hurts from my past or not). The key is to forgive them regardless. Will it require a faith increase (like the disciples requested after they learned they have to forgive 70x7 times)? You bet! Walking in forgiveness is about your freedom and healing -granted, we have work to do and people need our gift. It's rather difficult to walk in your gift when you are bitter, angry and mean (I call it the BAM state).

You know Christ forgave everyone who nailed Him to the cross, He forgave those who were offended by Him, those who rejected Him; now watch this, we won't forgive someone who owes us $5! If you have time, read Matthew 18:21-35. Also know there is a difference between forgiveness and trust. I always wondered why we have a tendency to be angrier at unintentional things than we do intentional. But I'm also reminded that offenses will increase, betrayals will increase and hatred will increase. Either way, I am to have a heart that forgives.

The last thing I want to discuss is the concept of forgiving ourselves. Sometimes we can be our worst enemy. The enemy will do whatever he can to make us feel so guilty for the wrong we did, for allowing ourselves to be put in compromising situations or to blame you for the wrong that you didn't do. Can you do yourself a favor when you hear a voice saying, "You can't forgive yourself, look at your life, look at what you caused!" Tell that voice, "so what that I messed up! I accepted the part that belongs to me and rebuke the part that doesn't belong to me. I forgive me and I'm forgiven by God. I claim the promise of 1 John 1:9."

As for me, I forgive me, I'm forgiven by God and I forgive everyone who intentionally or unintentionally hurt me. I hold no bitterness towards anyone. I desire to be made whole by Jesus and by faith I am whole even as He takes me through the process of healing that I'm currently on. My poor choices in life do not define me nor do they deter what God has for me.

I pray that this blesses you as you walk in the power of forgiveness. Remember, it's all about getting us to a place where we can shout YES when He asks us the question "Will You Be Made Whole?"

Blessings,

The Mayne Man

  

Will You Be Made Whole?

I dedicate this post to anyone who needs a healing of any type (physical, mental, emotional, and/or spiritual) due to something traumatic you experienced in your life. The question “will you be made whole?” was a question that Jesus asked a man who had an infirmity for 38 years. It comes from John 5:1-9 which says:

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda] having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Will You Be Made Whole?”

The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.

Now he wanted to be in the pool and I’m sure he was disappointed in that others were cutting in front of him and were discounting the fact that he wanted to be whole. In short, they were only thinking about themselves and didn’t bother to stop to consider the man with the infirmity who needed a healing for his condition. Granted, I could do a blog on what I’m thinking (there are many who won’t even stop to consider those who needs a healing – but instead, they’ll chastise and ridicule those who are in pain). Anyway, let me go back to the original intent of this post, so let me ask you (if you are need of a healing), “Will You Be Made Whole?” If it makes you feel any better, I am also in need of a healing so if I were asked that same question, I will shout YES from the rooftop.

So, how does this all work? It’s a great question. First and foremost, it’s a step of faith. In fact, healing is no different than faith. It requires belief, confession and action. It’s interesting that we will believe our healing, confess our healing, but then when it’s time for action, we’ll either quit in the process or not even bother to take that step of faith. Well, many of you know I detest the phrase “fake it till you make it,” and I still do. In this case, you have to “faith it till you make it.” In other words, keep your eyes on the promise and not on the process (believe that you are healed and start walking in it – even though you are on the path to realizing what you’ve been believing for). Now let me make this loud and clear, go through the process. If you’re not going to go through the process, don’t even bother confessing or believing that you’re healed, because it won’t work. Another thing that’s interesting is that we’ll say we’re free from something, but the truth is, we’re really lying to ourselves if we don’t even go through whatever steps God wants you to go through to get to your promise.

For some ungodly reason, we in the faith community hate seeking professional help (a counselor, doctor, etc.). And if I can quote Dr. Betty Price here, I will. She said something very profound when I attended the FaithDome in the summer of 1998. When she shared about how she was healed from cancer, she said that she had the word of God in her heart; however, she did go through chemotherapy. She continued on by saying that so many people think they’re in faith when they know they have cancer, but won’t go to the doctor. That’s not faith at all. Doctors can prescribe, diagnose and cut, but Jesus has to do the healing (but thank God for what the doctors can do). I believe what she said can relate to any type of healing you need. And by the way, this is an action step towards receiving your healing. Remember your faith is in God (and your healing comes from God), not man (but thank God for those doctors, counselors, etc.).

What are some excuses that people will make to justify their reason to stay bound? “Well, I don’t know if I can be healed. I don’t know if God can heal me. I’m too damaged because of what others have done to me, and what I’ve done to myself.”

If this is you, please stop. The devil is rejoicing when you’re making those phrases, knowing that you’re giving your birthright away to someone who doesn’t give two cents about you.

What are some other excuses? “I don’t know what the healing process entails. I’m scared.” Wait!!! God has not given you the spirit of fear.

Now let me make this disclaimer so the devil doesn’t torment anyone reading. I’m not condemning you, but if anything, wanting to stand by your side as you prepare for true healing. The devil doesn’t want you healed (in fact, he wants you to think that bondage is your new normal). Will I say that the process is easy? Absolutely not, and I will use myself as an example. As I started finding out things about me, I learned that for the two steps I take forward, there’s one step that has to go back. The key here is to stay with the process and not quit because I’m not seeing immediate results.

I laugh as I just typed the prior sentence. Let me talk about immediate results for a moment. I don’t know about you, but I’m like this at times: Lord, can I just be done with this healing so I can truly live? Like, can this be done in 24 hours? I was reminded of Jeremiah 29:10-11 that says, For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Did any of you pick up the fact that the Lord said after 70 years? Imagine that our healing would take 70 years. I don’t know about you, but that’s too long. I’m all about that tomorrow deliverance. Don’t faint on me, 2 Peter 3:8b says that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

It is true that I should not rush the process that God takes me, the key is to trust God and not quit or hinder the process with my foolish pride, unbelief, sin-conscious, traditions of men, lifeless words or fear. If I hinder the process with what I said, then it’s my fault. Speaking of which, sin-conscious will not get the best of me, just because I made poor choices or allowed people to do things to me that I wasn’t aware of at the time does NOT change what God has promised for me. For I know healing belongs to me and I will be made whole.

And I would encourage you, give God something to work with (your faith in Him) and watch Him do something that won’t make sense to your senses (but it will be worth it and you’ll come out on top).

Can I just make one statement and ask why do people tell others they need to heal, but won’t seek healing for themselves? You have to believe that healing is for you too (and for everyone who needs it).

I believe I can stop here, but before I close this blogpost, I want to say this: In order to receive healing, you have to have faith. So, why does Paul say to fight the good fight of faith?

It’s a good fight because you win – provided you don’t lose heart.

Because you’re technically not fighting the devil, the devil is after your faith.

Now let’s think about it, why is the devil after your faith? If he can steal your faith in

Christ and in what He’s promised you, you will be a casualty and he can wreak havoc in your life. When your believing is off, your speaking will be off and eventually your life will be off. So stay in the fight no matter what. Stand your ground!

And any assignment that the devil has over your life that’s preventing you from walking in total wholeness, I cancel that in Jesus’ name! Healing is for you and me.

So, this is a #MayneMan declaration to you: I will not give up on you even though others will quit on you. I won't condemn you like those legalistic people who say you are beyond hope or you will always be condemned in their eyes. I believe in you, and you are worth fighting for. You can call me a gold-digger (one who digs deep into you to find the true gold that's in your heart and spirit so you can be all that God wants you to be.

I pray that after you read this blogpost, you can shout YES to the question “Will You Be Made Whole?”

Blessings,

The Mayne Man