Hi there!

It’s me again — Angela. I’m smiling and waving to you! It’s what I’d be doing if we were actually seeing each other. I’d also want to know how you are doing — the real answer, too. I’m grateful you’re here with me. Welcome to Week 4.

I was able to read through the book prior to the beginning of our study. And it was right around this week's chapters I needed to take a pause and set the book down. I was trying to sift through my thoughts and memories but feeling a little overwhelmed and honestly a little nervous to keep going. All of it collided one day. I knew in my heart I shouldn’t rush past what I was dealing with, and I didn’t want to quit, but I needed to catch my breath and sit with Jesus. So wherever you're at with reading, I understand.

Forgiving others doesn’t mean we agree with what they did. Forgiving means we are agreeing with what God’s Word says to do. I love the statement Lysa TerKeurst wrote about this very thing on page 118 of Forgiving What You Can’t Forget:

“There is nothing more powerful than a person living what God’s Word teaches.”

I want to live out the power of God’s Word, and you’re here, so I believe you do as well.

Jesus, the Son of God, understands relationships. He knows what it’s like to be accused, rejected and wounded. So His Words on the cross echo in my heart when I’m struggling with the aftereffect of someone’s hurtful actions towards me.

“... Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34, ESV).

He is our example to follow. Forgiving even in those times when others know they’ve hurt us and don’t apologize.

Lysa and Kendra discuss in today’s video about what we can do when there’s an element of loss, hurt and grief in relationships not turning out as we had hoped. I pray it brings you peace.

Here are the instructions for access to closed captioning and transcripts.

Our Verse of the Week takes on a whole new meaning for me when I read it now:

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21, ESV).

The good, for me here, represents forgiveness. And when we forgive, we overcome the enemy's plans of torment in our lives with the goodness of God’s healing peace.

Real quick, if you’re not sure what chapters to read this week, check out our Study at a Glance.

STUDY AT A GLANCE

We have a special guest for you this Wednesday on the blog — Wendy Blight will be joining us — and then I’ll be meeting you back here on Friday. Until then.

Let’s be overcomers!

Angela

Heart to Heart:

How does Romans 12:21 help you in knowing that you can overcome the bad with the good of forgiveness?