Until you forgive, you cannot SOAR! You will remain grounded.
Today we are looking at the book of Philemon and we are taking our nuggets from the story of Philemon himself in that book.
Philemon was a Christian businessman who owned slaves. One day one of his slaves by the name of Onesimus ran away for one reason or another and eventually ended up with Paul where he converted and became a Christian and became an assistant to Paul during Paul's time in prison.
Onesimus must have told Paul his story about who he was, where he came from, and how and probably why he ran away. So when Paul discovered that Onesimus was from Philemon, he did what any mentor and leader would do - he tried to reconcile both men, especially now that both were under his ministry and leadership.
Paul wrote a letter and sent both the letter and Onesimus to Philemon for forgiveness, healing, and restoration to take place.
If Philemon wanted to soar in ministry and business, he had to forgive and reconcile. Carrying unforgiveness is like carrying dead weight, it slows you down and eventually destroys you. Forgiveness and reconciliation are two keys that are critical to anyone who wants to soar.
Many of us are like Philemon, we have been hurt by people, disappointed that the people we considered family would stab us in the back. We are angry at how people are repaying us for the good we have done for them. Can I tell you that:
THINK ABOUT THIS:
You cannot take off with bitterness and resentment as passengers
You cannot fly with a cargo of anger
You cannot SOAR carrying the weight of unforgiveness.
HERE'S MY QUESTION FOR YOU:
Who do you need to forgive so you can SOAR? Is it someone or yourself?
Do this exercise,
1)write out all the people you need to forgive, including yourself -
2) write down what you are forgiving them for and why
3) pray and ask God to help you to forgive them.
4) Take a bold step - reach out if possible to let the person know they are forgiven. If this is not possible, then just speak it into the air
5) Take time to pray a prayer of blessing for that person every day for 7 days or more
REMEMBER:
Until you forgive, you cannot SOAR! You will remain grounded.