Remove The Splinter
On our journey, we have discovered how much God loves us and have begun to really receive His unconditional love wholly and entirely into our hearts, minds, and souls.
We have been reminded of our enoughness and are relearning how to accept and love ourselves just as we are.
But as we continue, we feel a pain deep within as we resume our journey.
It's like that nagging pain you feel when you have a splinter in your foot.
It's not a debilitating issue, more of a dull ache, but you keep moving and notice it's slowing you down and making it harder for you to journey forward.
Of course, you try to ignore the pain, telling yourself, "I'm fine, I'm fine."
You focus onwards, hobbling along, accustomed to hiding what hurts deep inside.
Suddenly, you notice Jesus ahead on the path, sitting on a bench, beckoning you to join him.
As you sit and rest, He softly explains:
"My precious child, before we can continue, we must remove that wound you have - right there." He points right to the spot of pain.
Panic sets in as you wonder how on earth He knew what you were experiencing.
"I see your pain, my love. I know it's been there a long time. This pain is a deep unforgiveness you have within you. It has been there, festering and infecting you for years. It's time to get it out for good."
He says this with a love so gentle and kind you muster up the courage as you take a deep breath and utter, "OK, I'm ready."
Slowly, you allow yourself to feel the pain of that wound.
Shame starts to creep in as you recall how this damage came to be when you stumbled into that place you never should have been.
Tears stream down your face, and loud, heavy sobs fill the air. From deep within, your soul cries, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
Jesus holds you so tight you can barely breathe.
Slowly, He places His hands on your foot at the exact spot where it hurts. The shame and pain disappear as the most radiant light overtakes the wound, and you see it dissolve completely.
Vanished. No slivers. It's totally gone.
"You are forgiven," Jesus leans over and whispers.
He then jumps to his feet, holds His hands out, and pulls you up.
"The pain is gone!" you squeal with delight.
"Was it really that simple?" you wonder to yourself.
"Yes," Jesus replies with a mind-reading smirk on His face. "Yes, it is."
If you are willing to extract the splinter of unforgiveness deep within that is slowing you down, Jesus will sit with you and remove it.
It will hurt for just a little but then it will be gone and you will feel so much better!
It is time to be forgiven and release the pain.
You are ready.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Psalms 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord .” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Luke 7:48
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 7:50
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”