A young boy named Jean Claude, was 11 years old when the genocide began in his home country of Rwanda.
Jean Claude witnessed the heinous act of their so-called “neighbors” torturing and mutilating his father.
Jean Claude was hiding in the bushes nearby as rebels murdered his sister, uncles, and aunts.
After the genocide, he joined the Compassion Program at the church where he came to know Jesus and learned the power of forgiveness. He forgave the perpetrators of his family’s massacre.
His life was transformed and he now helps others transform theirs. This is the true power of forgiveness.
The #9 thing you must do to live and create a peaceful environment during the holidays with family members, friends, and enemies is to hold no grudges and practice forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 says, “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
What family member, friend or enemy do you need to forgive right now?
What does it feel like to let that go?
Are you holding onto any grudges you need to let go of?
Is there anything in the past you are holding against someone?
What is the Holy Spirit speaking and reminding you of right now?
In the story above, Jean Claude traded his pain for peace. What do you need to trade in right now?
What do you need to give to God and let it go?
The final and #10 thing you must do to live and create a peaceful environment during the holidays with family members, friends, and enemies are to be in a constant state of gratitude.
Your life is an incredible miracle, are you aware of that?
The odds for you to be born are one in 400 trillion. The odds explode even higher when you are born into a first-world country.
If you are breathing, you are a miracle. If you are breathing you are good, because everything God created is good.
This is exactly what God said in Genesis 1:31, 'God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good and He validated it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.'
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Ephesians 5:20 says, “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Psalms 106:1 says, “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Can being grateful feel tough at times? Absolutely!
You can be sure the enemy will make you feel terrible about your circumstances, your family, your social situations, and anything else which brings you down.
That is his job, and he takes real pride in it.
What can you do instead?
Being grateful is a habit, it’s a muscle. It must be worked. It must be used. It must be understood. The more you use it, the more it will empower you.
This is your daily challenge today, to be grateful.
Start small in your gratefulness. It can be for food in the fridge, gas in your car, or a place to sleep.
As your grateful muscle grows, use it in every situation.
Be grateful for moments with family to give love.
Be grateful for moments with enemies to give peace.
Be grateful for moments with friends to give patience.
You are the light of the world because you have the light (God) dwelling in you. You have everything He has. You have everything you need. You are a walking miracle.
This is the time to spread light and all of God’s fruits to those who need it most.
Imagine what family members, friends, and enemies will do when they are expecting a fight and you give them fruits of peace, love, kindness, and patience.
You are on your way to the most memorable, and blessed holiday season of your life. God is with you and in you.
Use these 10 things to transform your life, so you can transform others.
Expect miracles and unexpected favor everywhere you go. You are an anointed King and Queen.
God bless you. Let me know the miracles you experience.
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I’m rooting and praying with you.
Love - Coach Anthony Thompson