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(Prov 12:25) "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.”

One day, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life, he realized many things were wrong. He thought about those who had lied about him and how his anger had lost him his job. His thoughts then turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that hadn't supported him. His morbid thoughts increased as his mind turned to the grief he'd suffered. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration.

With tears in his eyes, he fell to his knees by an old oak tree and screamed, ‘Lord - You have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord because I cannot, I don’t know how. It is not fair, Lord. I didn’t deserve these wrongs that were done against me, and I shouldn’t have to forgive them. As perfect as your way is, Lord, this is one thing I cannot do, for I don’t know how to forgive. I'm sorry, Lord, but my anger is so deep and overwhelming.

He felt something fall onto his shoulder as he knelt in the quiet shade of that old oak tree. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.

He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, and deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally, he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man’s tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.

‘Have you ever told a lie?’ He asked? The man answered – ‘You know I have, Lord.’ ‘Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?’ The man answered – ‘Yes. Lord.’ And the man sobbed more and more.‘ Have you ever taken something from work that wasn’t yours?’ Jesus asked. And the man answered, ‘Yes, Lord.’ ‘Have you ever sworn, using my Father’s name in vain?’ The man, crying now, answered – ‘Yes, Lord.’ As Jesus asked many more times, ‘Have you ever’...? The man’s crying became uncontrollable; he could only answer through clenched teeth– ‘You know I have, Lord’.

The silence was profound, and when he finally managed to look back up, his tear-stained eyes met those of Jesus, and a look of sheer love penetrated his very soul.

Jesus said, ‘I didn’t deserve this either, but I took the punishment meant for you - and I forgave you.’

It may be hard to imagine how you’ll get through what's happening in your life right now, but always remember: If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. Christ-conquerors are safe from Devil-death.” (Rev 2:11) 

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those who are sick amongst us—such as Barbara and Ian fighting cancer. Please also pray for a quick and full healing for Jay after a total knee operation and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs so that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.