Move, Get Out of My Way

 When we consider all of the things in life that can cause us to feel condemned I think the biggest hurdle is acknowledging that XYZ happened and that you cannot change it. That may be really difficult for some people especially if it brings up hurtful memories that you have buried or you self-medicate to escape.  If the hurt is so deep that you cannot handle revisiting it alone, you may need to speak with a professional.  Before you trip out, let me continue.  A professional (e.g. experienced clergyperson, professional “licensed” counselor, psychologist, etc.) can help you safely approach areas of your life that lead to vulnerability so that you can gently navigate your way through.  You don’t want to stop and camp out there, you’re just passing through.  Lastly, seeing a professional does not mean you are weak or crazy.  On the contrary, it takes guts to go to a hurtful place with the intention of resolving the hurt. The bottom line is that you can decide to remain a prisoner to your condemnation or open the cell door, walk out and never return.  While it may sound simple there is some work that has to be done.  The good news is that the work is doable as long as you are willing to roll up your sleeves, dig in and start moving towards release, even if you only take itty bitty baby steps on some days.  What is the work?

Ownership:  As I stated above it is acknowledging what happened and making a decision that you are not your past.  As horrific as some things may have been, it really boils down to a choice.  Do you want to be free (of condemnation) or not.  If you don’t then don’t do anything.  If you do, let’s get busy.

1.  Accepting and/or Giving Forgiveness:  That may include forgiving yourself and/or the offender (if there is one).  I know, I know, I’ve been there, but listen, here’s what is at stake:

·       If you don’t forgive, God will not forgive you:  Matthew 6:12, 14-15 (CEB) excerpts from the Lord’s Prayer:  and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.  Unforgiveness limits God.  That’s why some of our prayers aren’t being answered because we have stuff in our hearts against people and/or against ourselves.

  Victory Nugget:  Jesus mentions forgiveness three different times in this short prayer.  Anytime you see a phrase or words repeated multiple times in a particular set of scriptures, that means it’s important, emphasis is being added, so pay attention.

·       2.  Let It Go/Forget About It:  What!!; you have no idea how badly I was hurt or what I did, I can’t just drop it.  You’re right, I don’t, but let’s look closer at the Word:  Mark 11:25-26 (AMP):  And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.  Sir, Ma’am, yes you can, it’s a choice and as the Midwife says “everything costs something.  The question is are you willing to pay the price of unforgiveness or do you want to be free from its debt?   Unforgiveness will also affect your faith.  And make no mistake for some of us, we are going to need all the faith we can get to move past the condemnation.  Think of it like this:  There is a river that runs freely to your house but all of a sudden the water stops flowing because someone built up a dam cutting you off completely.  When believing God, exercising our faith we need to ensure that nothing interrupts that spiritual flow and that our thoughts and conversations are pure, drama free.  There is nothing positive about unforgiveness because we relive the experience over and over and over which produces toxic thoughts that become our reality because we will eventually speak what we have been thinking.  We create the negative space, not the devil or anybody else.  Living in the past is painful and costly.  Mark 11:22-23 (AMP): And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly]. Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.  A toxic mind won’t be able to believe God for anything, let alone moving mountains.

Victory Nugget:  Jesus is not talking about a literal mountain made of rock.  Mountain (Webster) -- a large mass of something; a huge amount.  For example a huge amount of debt, drama, condemnation, etc.

Forgiveness is not as much about the offender as it is you, can you see that.

·       Forgiveness is feather weight.  You have no idea how free you will be after you forgive.

3.  Move Condemnation, Get Out of My Way:  Some  Philippians 3:12-13:  It’s not that I have

already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose. Brothers and sisters, I myself don’t think I’ve reached it, but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me.  We have been blessed with the gift of life.  That thing whatever it was didn’t kill us or three meals and a cot.  We’re alive, we survived, now it’s time to live, without condemnation.
of us have been stuck for years but now it’s time to get in the press, to move out, on and up, tell that condemnation to get out of your way.

I know there are exceptions to the rule.  Perhaps your offender is no longer reachable for whatever reason.  You can simulate the act of forgiveness by writing a letter to him/her even if you don’t have an address. Going through the act and putting it in the atmosphere will be freeing as well. But what if I tried and they rejected me?  That is a very real probability, but remember, you are not seeking their approval or validation, you are simply trying to make amends and if they refuse you, it’s on them.

This was a lot, some of you may be having a panic attack just thinking about it.  Stop.  Take a breath.  Collect your thoughts.  Pray and ask God for guidance and when He speaks, it’s important for you to act.  I realize this may not be easy, but it will be worth it to be free.  Free of the baggage of condemnation whether we were drafted against our will or it was self-imposed. 

Hold your head up, it’s gonna be OK.

In His Humble Excellence

Tan