Comments on Julie Gillies - Words to Soothe, Refresh and Strengthen Your Soul: Bear Trap

2009-08-23T20:50:29.482-04:00

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This is a great post. It does make it hard when y...

2009-08-18T15:52:51.224-04:00

This is a great post. It does make it hard when you can't come to a resolution with someone. We just have to give it over to God and let him fight our battles for us. Thanks for sharing!

Wonderful truth in this post, Julie. So thankful G...

2009-08-14T11:56:25.063-04:00

Wonderful truth in this post, Julie. So thankful God gives us the grace and power to forgive in the most difficult circumstances...

Wow. This is powerful. I believe in this quote: &q...

2009-08-12T10:32:16.273-04:00

Wow. This is powerful. I believe in this quote: "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." --Lewis B. Smedes. We forgive not for the other person, but for our own happiness.

I have someone very close to me that has had the u...

2009-08-12T07:51:39.799-04:00

I have someone very close to me that has had the ultimate betrayal and is going to be working on this forgiveness thing for quite a while. Thankfully with God's help, forgiveness IS possible. Love this post and love your camparison. I've got a few things to let go of too.

Isn't it the truth, Julie. I find myself able...

2009-08-12T05:39:58.418-04:00

Isn't it the truth, Julie.

I find myself able to forgive individuals for almost everything but overt blasphemy.

I need to work to see NEED when I hear people defame my Lord. Though I never say anything, I tend to get mad and offended--obviously unproductive! I'm praying to be a better witness with an appropriate response when I hear His name blasphemed. (I'm not talking about a little slip of the tongue, but people who openly mock and laugh at Him.)

It doesn't help that such talk is common in our society. It seems that mocking Christ and Christians is totally PC, whereas defending all manner of ungodly practices is where it's at.

**sigh**

Amen! Been there. It works, too. I have had to f...

2009-08-11T15:13:25.860-04:00

Amen! Been there. It works, too. I have had to forgive so many times some really hurtfull things that happened to me. At the time I chose to forgive I almost resented it. But once you make that decision, it is miraculous how much peace you feel.
Bear trap is something I will remember!

Beautiful post....what an awesome visual. I hate ...

2009-08-11T07:26:30.325-04:00

Beautiful post....what an awesome visual. I hate how often I need to be reminded of the forgiveness thing:)

Denise

I'm learning that forgiveness is a decision. ...

2009-08-11T00:57:23.417-04:00

I'm learning that forgiveness is a decision.

Not an emotion.

And God is so good about restoring relationships when we choose to forgive.

Sweet dreams.

Oh, Julie, I think forgiveness is one of the harde...

2009-08-11T00:38:33.217-04:00

Oh, Julie, I think forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do...at least for me. I can hold a grudge with the best of them. The best book I ever read on this topic was Philip Yancey's, What's so Amazing About Grace. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.

BTW, I wish you could have been with us at the Phila Conference. Maybe one day we'll get to the same conference!

How's your son?

Blessings and love,
Kelli

Thank you for this post! I so needed to hear it a...

2009-08-10T13:59:58.544-04:00

Thank you for this post! I so needed to hear it and let go of some hurts that keep haunting me in ministry. It was such a joy to meet you in person at She Speaks! I too am still unpacking all that God did and taught me. Hopefully this week I can get back on schedule..the kids started school today. Have a wonderful week.

I wonder why it's so easy to focus on the pain...

2009-08-09T20:15:26.582-04:00

I wonder why it's so easy to focus on the pain and not let God free us from those traps and heal us? I think it takes courage to move out of the comfort zone of licking our wounds, don't you think? Sometimes it appears easier to wallow than to actually forgive and heal! Thanks for a thoughtful post!

Hi Julie, This was an important post - thank you ...

2009-08-09T19:45:27.127-04:00

Hi Julie,

This was an important post - thank you for being transparent!

I so appreciated your encouragement on my blog. Perhaps we will both be at the same writer's conf. one day.

God Bless,
Sonya Lee

I like your comparison of the bear trap and holdin...

2009-08-09T18:35:55.575-04:00

I like your comparison of the bear trap and holding grudges. It's so easy for our emotions to take control in situations that are uncomfortable. It is very difficult to forgive. With God's help, faith & trusting in Him all things are possible. Thanks for allowing God to use you to share this message.

Thank you for a great post. It is soooooo hard som...

2009-08-09T16:35:01.642-04:00

Thank you for a great post. It is soooooo hard sometimes to forgive someone who has wronged us. I'll admit, I struggle with that today in a few situations.

I truly belive that forgiveness frees the one who ...

2009-08-09T16:30:31.992-04:00

I truly belive that forgiveness frees the one who offers it as much or more than it gives freedom to the one forgiven.

Great words, Julie! I like the bear-trap metaphor. However hard to get out of it, healing can't begin before we do so.

Amen Julie! Great post.

2009-08-09T16:16:03.788-04:00

Amen Julie! Great post.