Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast Love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
Hosea 10:12 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/hos.10.12.ESV
Self-examination helps us identify the sin that hinders us and controls our lives when we live according to the same patterns and behaviors, which brings nothing but despair. Unforgiveness is a massive barrier for our loved ones and us; it is a legacy burden we carry from our ancestors and pass down to generations after us. Change is a process that involves confessing our sins and renewing our minds (Romans 12).
“Who is Controlling You?!“
Not too long ago, a friend asked, “Who is controlling you?” I was in continuous assaults on my mental health, physical health, spiritual health, and relationships. I felt like I was held hostage in a maze. However, I didn’t realize that the seeds of negative thinking and unforgiveness produced what I was sowing through my thoughts. Every seed sown will have what we plant in our lives and our children’s lives. We cannot plant evil thoughts and expect good fruit. We cannot plant apple seeds and expect oranges; we reap what we sow.
I remember my grandmother used to say that she was like her mother, unforgiving, and my mother would say the same thing: their suffering was great, and ours as well: don’t test the LORD. I didn’t think I would take up this burden after my mom passed until I had a dream of a childhood trauma that I was holding unforgiveness toward a particular person, and I was traumatized all over again.
I knew in my heart that the Holy Spirit was revealing a part of me that held unforgiveness, and I needed healing. Forgiveness is a command for our good and the good of our families.
Prayer
LORD, my KING, and my GOD, open Your ears to my cry as I seek Your mercy and steadfast Love. You are a forgiving GOD full of grace and truth. You don’t take pleasure in wickedness, nor does evil dwell with You.
LORD, I chose to forgive all those who have wronged me and my loved ones, those who have oppressed us since our youth, but did not gain victory over us. They made their furrows long. Please heal the wounds in my heart. Forgive me for the many times I sinned against You, known and unknown. Cleanse me from the sin of unforgiveness and the fruit that comes from it, such as bitterness, resentment, grudges, and ignorance against the knowledge of God.
Your Word says that unforgiveness torments not only the fathers but their families, Lord; forgive the iniquities of my earthly father, whom I never knew, and stepfather. Dear LORD, please cut me loose from the cords of their sins.
LORD, You are my heavenly Father; please give me Your Holy Spirit, deliver me from the learned behaviors such as people pleasing, fear, and compliance that kept me stuck, and guide me into all truth and Your steadfast Love.
Forgive the iniquity of my ancestors; I refuse to carry their legacy burdens into the generation after me. In the name of Jesus, I lay these patterns of resentment, grudges, bitterness, and unforgiveness at the foot of the Cross. Clothe me in Your righteousness; wash my loved ones and me with the Blood of Jesus, and fill us with the fruit of Your Holy Spirit; protect us from all evil, and guide us in Your way. I rebuke every spirit that is not of You, and refuse to carry the legacy burdens of my ancestors, in Jesus’ Name. Amen
