Saturday Morning Porch Reflections

Saturday Morning Porch Reflections

Scripting Strength for the Unforgivable

The coffee is still warm, the Louisiana air is starting to hum with the promise of a Saturday, and here on my front porch, 

my "Forgiving What You Can't Forget" homework is spread out beside me. This week's reflection has led me to a powerful truth: when living out God's commands, especially the weighty ones like forgiveness, feels utterly beyond my own strength, I need a new script to play in my head – one written in the very words of God.

Lysa TerKeurst's insights have been challenging and encouraging, but it's the direct declarations of Scripture that truly anchor my soul. Today, one phrase stands out, a lifeline in the face of what feels impossible:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

As I sit here, the weight of past hurts and the struggle to truly forgive feel immense. My natural inclination often leans towards resentment, towards holding onto the pain. But Philippians 4:13 whispers a different possibility. It reminds me that the ability to extend forgiveness, to obey God's call to release bitterness, doesn't reside within my own limited capacity. It flows through Christ, the very source of all strength.

I'm taking time this morning to truly meditate on this verse. What does "all things" mean in this context? It's not about conjuring up superhuman power, but about trusting that Christ will equip me for the specific acts of obedience He asks of me, even when they feel like scaling a vertical cliff. It's through my connection with Him, through His Spirit working within me, that the seemingly impossible becomes possible.

And as I delve deeper into Scripture, other verses rise up, offering further layers of encouragement:

2 Peter 1:3-4 reminds me that God's divine power has already given me everything I need for a godly life. His precious promises are the very tools I can use to participate in His nature and overcome the pull of bitterness. This isn't about striving in my own lack, but drawing upon His abundant provision.

When I feel weak and unsure how to even pray for the strength to forgive, Romans 8:26-27 offers immense comfort. The Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for me, understanding my deepest groans and aligning my prayers with God's perfect will. I am not alone in this struggle; the Spirit is my advocate.

The paradoxical truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 also resonates: God's grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in my weakness. It's in acknowledging my inability to forgive on my own that I create space for Christ's strength to shine through. My vulnerabilities become opportunities for His power to be displayed.

And finally, Philippians 2:13 offers a profound understanding of the source of my desire and ability to obey: "for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." The very longing to forgive, the small stirrings of a desire for release – these are not solely my own efforts, but God's active work within my heart. He empowers both the will and the action.

So, here on my porch this Saturday morning, with the birds chirping and the coffee slowly cooling, my homework isn't just about reading words on a page. It's about scripting truth into my soul. It's about declaring, "I can do this – not in my own power, but through Christ who strengthens me." And it's about meditating on the rich promises of Scripture that assure me I am not alone, I am equipped, and God Himself is working within me to bring about healing and the ability to forgive, even what feels unforgivable. This isn't just homework; it's the work of the heart, empowered by the Word of God.