"Gall"

There’s a reason for their anger,

Why they say it harsh and mean,

It’s because of their own injury,

And the trouble that they’ve seen.

And not to make excuses,

But simply to connect,

What they do and why they do it,

So someday I expect,

They find the grace for healing,

And forgive, erase the debt,

‘Cause that’s the way to freedom,

Perhaps they’ll find it yet.

The rage and all the bitterness,

Comes from the unhealed hurt,

And if it’s never doctored,

Will gall just like a girth,

On a sore place that is hard to heal,

The rub just won’t allow,

The hurt needs some attention,

So it can heal somehow.

The grace that saves a soul from hell,

And sets the captive free,

Of addiction, chains of bondage,

And is there for you and me.

Can also heal a broken heart,

Relieve the deepest pain,

Empower to forgive the worst,

It’s true in Jesus’ name.

So don’t just go on living,

Pretending it’s not so,

Your anger and short temper,

Are there to let you know,

You need some healing, brother,

And sister, let it go,

‘Fore you end up old and bitter,

That ain’t your rodeo.

Jesus died to heal us,

And by His stripes it’s true,

Forgive as we’re forgiven,

It’s what God wants us to do.

“…forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others…” (Colossians 3:13, NLT)

Perhaps life’s greatest challenge is giving forgiveness as freely as God has forgiven us. The greatest obstacle is the pain we have suffered, and being willing to let go of our injury so that the grace of God can heal us. All kinds of emotions and thoughts have to be processed honestly, and ultimately surrendered to the Lord. Finally, it comes down to a righteous choice, empowered by the same grace that heals and forgives us. It’s all about what God has done for us and in us, rather that what someone else did to us. But there is no greater freedom that when God helps us get it done.

Lord, help us pass along the forgiveness You so freely gave to us, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mark Maggiori, markmaggiori.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Mark, and God bless you.