Exploring Real Forgiveness - The Crosswalk Devotional - May 31

PLUS...10 Verses for When You Can't Sleep  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ &zwnj [Crosswalk.com Logo]( The Crosswalk Devotional  [Devotionals](        [Newsletters](        [e-Cards](      [The Crosswalk Devotional]( Exploring Real Forgiveness By Jessica Van Roekel “So, if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.” - [Philemon 17-18]( ESV The roads by my home are gravel and cut the land into one-mile squares. Corn and bean fields surround me, but the gravel roads cut straight and true, going east and west, north and south. Getting to the gym requires a twenty-four-mile round-trip drive, so I try to walk these roads for exercise. It sounds convenient, but it isn’t. I twist my ankles on the rocks and choke on the dust from passing vehicles. Walking in forgiveness is not as easy as it sounds, either. When our hearts get offended, we experience a wide range of emotions. Forgiveness seems impossible when betrayal creates a canyon in our hearts. We hurt and feel pain. But when we’ve been wounded, we know we need to forgive. So, we strap on our spiritual tennis shoes and walk the long walk of healing. There is so much to learn when we’re willing to forgive someone for an offense. [Jesus]( shows us how the virtues of forgiveness, acceptance, and restoration change outcomes, not only in our offender’s life but also in our hearts. This kind of forgiveness takes time and expands our understanding of what Jesus did for us when he died on the cross for our sins. I have felt betrayed, rejected, and lied about. I’ve let thoughts of anger drive my responses and feed my desire for revenge, but wise words from a dear friend stopped me in my tracks. She reminded I needed to forgive and that waiting until I felt like it allowed anger to send down roots in my heart. Her gentle reminder made me think of Paul’s gentle request to his friend in the book of Philemon.  [CONTINUE READING →](            You May Also Like:        [10 Verses for When You Can't Sleep](  Debbie McDaniel If you find yourself walking through difficult hardship and still struggle with fear-filled thoughts, here are some verses that might help to bring life, healing, and peace once again.  [CONTINUE READING →](       [Marriage Isn't the Finish Line, Heaven Is](  Kelly-Jayne McGlynn The point is that marriage is a process with one end goal in mind: Partnering with each other to live godly lives here and eternal lives in heaven. It would be such a shame if the wedding day was it, and all growth stopped after the cake was cut. If you had to look at your spouse and say, "Now what…?" But thankfully, God has the perfect plan.  [CONTINUE READING →](            [General Hospital Star Maurice Benard Cries During Surprise Reunion With Daughter](  GodTube.com Tamron Hall touched on about ten different fun and interesting things during this interview with General Hospital star Maurice Benard, who cried during a surprise reunion with his daughter. Her chat with the actor will cause you to see Sonny Corinthos in an entirely new light!  [WATCH NOW →](        [When Is Pentecost Sunday 2023? Why Do Christians Celebrate It?](  Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff While Eastern Christianity views Pentecost as the last day of Easter in its ceremonies, in the Roman sacrament it is normally a distinct holiday. The fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday may also be known as Eastertide.  [CONTINUE READING →](                            Bible Trivia Question of the Day                                           Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar appear in the book of: A. Ecclesiastes B. Psalms C. Song of Solomon D. Job [ANSWER THE QUESTION →](     [Crosswalk.com Logo](  [Read about Salem Web Network](  |  [Unsubscribe](   [Email Preference Center](  |  [View in Browser](   © 2023 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk. Â