Breaking the Chain of Unforgiveness Part Two
by Anne Richardson

I recently came across of an account of a grandmother, vividly recalling a terrifying experience from her childhood.  As a small girl, her uncle had placed her on the back of a placid, gentle mare and allowed to her ride the big horse around the back pasture.  It was a new experience but not bad… not bad at all.  In fact, it was kind of fun to meander through the meadow on the back of the big chestnut mare.  As they walked slowly about, she gained confidence with each passing moment. 

Suddenly, a snake slithered out from behind a rock, and the poor horse reacted in sheer fright.  Like a shot!  The mare bolted, racing full tilt across the rolling meadow.  Running blindly, the horse carried its helpless little rider through brush and under low hanging tree limbs.  She was bounced and jostled mercilessly. 

The small girl hung on for dear life.  It was impossible for her to even catch her breath sufficiently to render a blood-curdling scream for help.  The ground sped by her in a steady blur beneath the pounding hooves.

Anyone who has lived for very long can strongly identify with the helplessness and terror that this poor child endured.  We innocently walk through our lives, minding our own business.  A gentle stream is bubbling nearby, soft breezes cool our brow, and we’re surrounded by beautiful, fragrant flowers.  Suddenly we’re snatched from our peaceful existence.  We find ourselves clinging to a runaway horse, and life is suddenly completely out of control.  We can not stop it, we can not direct it, we can only hang on for dear life and hope that it will finally spend itself and the horrifying ride will soon be over.  There are times when pain, stress, and circumstances come colliding and avalanching through our carefully laid plans and peaceful existence.           

If we could only stop for a moment, step back to assess exactly what is happening, and evaluate all of the intricate details surrounding the chaos that is unfolding about us, we could perhaps reach some rational decision and a practical course of action.  But there is no time, no opportunity.  The startling events continue to pick up momentum, and we find ourselves reeling with shock and disbelief.

It’s not just that circumstances are moving at a blur, but our thoughts and emotions “run away” too.  We’re overwhelmed by fear, dread, anxiety, doubt, anger, denial, grief, and loss.  It is so easy for our imaginations to runaway and to envision all sorts of horrible, desperate outcomes of the crisis we find ourselves in. 

Trusting God in these times of upheaval is critical.  It is so important that we invest ourselves in a close relationship with God before a crisis hits.  Waiting until we’re overwhelmed by life to develop a strong walk with God is not what it takes to get us through these difficult times.  To walk through the upheavals of life with peace and the assurance that God will never leave us nor forsake us, requires our knowing Him—really knowing Him! 

The words “personal Savior” are bandied about the religious world on a daily basis, but we who have been born again really know what it means to have a personal Savior.  By investing our time gleaning from His word, bathing our lives in prayer, and faithfully choosing to be in His presence at our every opportunity, we are building ourselves up (Acts 20:32) so that when the storms of life hit, we’re able to stand!

We serve a God who will still step out onto the bow of our vessel and say, “Peace be still” (Mark 4:39).  We can rest and relax, not fearing the storms of today or those that may blow in tomorrow, knowing that He is able to keep us safe.

“For the which cause I also suffer this things: nevertheless I am not ashamed:  for I know who I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”            (2 Timothy 1:12).

Nothing is ever out of control, when He’s in control!  So remember, the next time that the gentle ride of your life turns into a full throttle, out of control, stampede… when your palms are sweating, your knees are knocking, your heart is pounding, it seems as if someone is choking the very breath out of you, and the world around you is a swirling blur… it’s not the end!  You’re not alone!  He’s promised to never leave us or forsake us.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

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