"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…"

- Hebrews 12:1-2a (NIV)

When you see a “therefore,” you need to see what it is there for!

Because of what Jesus did on the cross for us, and because of the power of the Holy Spirit that resides within us, we have access to everything we need to run our race well.

We need to be aware of some things that can wreak havoc in our race and hinder walk with Jesus.

"See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)

“Bitter root” can be interpreted two different ways.

• The bitter root of unbelief (Deuteronomy 29)

• The bitterness of disappointment with God and others that grow into resentment

When considering our spiritual, emotional and psychological health we often think we are fine. But are we?

Time heals all wounds. But does it?

Three questions to consider:

1. Is there a painful memory on repeat that I cannot let go of?

That is bitterness.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…"

- Romans 12:2a (NIV)

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

- Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

2. What do my words reveal about the condition of my heart?

"…For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

- Luke 6:45b (NIV)

Am I sarcastic, critical, and judgemental?

3. How am I being experienced by those closest to me?

Am I demanding, impatient, distracted?

Take the time to process these spaces with Jesus.

1. Acknowledge the pain.

Denial helps no one.

“Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger.”

 - Psalm 55:1-3 (NIV)

“Reality is always your friend.”

- Dr. Henry Cloud, Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

- Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

- Romans 8:28 (KJV)

2. Stop rehearsing and nursing the grudge.

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

- 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

When we rehearse we are not demolishing and taking captive, rather we are building and reinforcing.

3. Choose to forgive.

"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

- Matthew 6:14 (NIV)

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”

- C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

“Forgiveness, then, is a form of voluntary suffering. In forgiving, rather than retaliating, you make a choice to bear the cost.”

― Timothy J. Keller, Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?

“Forgiveness is often (or perhaps usually) granted before it’s felt inside. When you forgive somebody, you’re not saying, “All my anger is gone.” What you’re saying when you forgive is “I’m now going to treat you the way God treated me. I remember your sins no more.”

― Timothy J. Keller, Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?

Forgiveness doesn’t mean trust.

4. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

You may feel that there is no way you could forgive, but you have an advocate in the Holy Spirit who will help you.

And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world’s healing hinges, but on his. When he tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.”

- Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place

"…the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit."

- Romans 5:5b (NASB)

Jesus didn’t promise a life without offenses. Hurt happens. But He provided the way to keep resentment from ruining our lives.

5. Obey the command of Jesus and pray for the one who hurt you.

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

- Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."

- Romans 12:14 (NIV)

• Bless: "to speak well of"

• Curse: "to speak evil of." You can't walk in forgiveness and be a gossip.

6. The properly healed scar becomes a tool that God uses to bring hope and healing to others.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

Will you let Jesus come close today and break up your scar tissue, wash the adhesions away with His blood, bring healing to your soul and restore your freedom? Will you let him help you remove the hindrances that are holding you back and tripping you up so that you can run your race with perseverance, eyes focused on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith?

Make a Decision Encounter by Dawn Jackson