If you hadn’t already figured it out, September 11^th is tomorrow.  It’s been 12 years since the tragic events and in some ways it feels like forever and in others, it feels like just yesterday.

I don’t think any one of us made it through that day unaffected.

The heinous actions of a few catapulted the rest of us into a frenzied whirlwind of fear, anger, sadness and helplessness.  It seems odd that those same emotions can sometimes strangle us…even today.

We have certainly not forgotten, but have we forgiven?

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25

I think many of us hold back our forgiveness because we think we would then be condoning the actions of terrorists.  However, withholding this essential action towards those who hurt us only hurts US more.

September 11^th marks a huge day in our American history that forever changed the way most of us looked at living our day to day lives.  It created a hiccup every time we saw the New York skyline and put a catch in our step as we entered a plane.  (Okay, I did not need any more fears about flying…thank you very much!)

The problem is that September 11^th is just one of many situations that we find ourselves holding onto our anger and fear.

• Have you gone through a breakup?  How do you feel about your ex?
• Have you been wronged by a friend?  How do you feel about that ‘friend’?
• Have you wasted precious time?  How do you feel about yourself?

Have you disobeyed God?  Do you feel forgiven?

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15

The fact is that September 11^th reminds us how quickly our lives can be ended and that sometimes there are no second chances to say goodbye, say I love you, fulfill your purpose or make positive changes.

Fearing the end, a catastrophe or losing someone places the emphasis on humanly desires and not eternal ones.  Do not be mistaken – I’m not saying that fear is wrong…I’m saying that fear can imprison us and keep us from living life as God intended.

Strangely enough a life full of fear and a lack of forgiveness may seem comfortable and sometimes even righteous, but it steals our joy and squashes our hope of eternal freedom.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15

However, releasing our fear and judgment gives God the opportunity to show us how truly amazing He really is.

So today, I encourage you to ask our Heavenly Father to take away your fears, fill you with a forgiving heart and comfort the families and friends of the 9/11 victims.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.  James 5:16

When we hand God our hearts and make a conscious effort to do His Will, the miracles of our Almighty Father are immeasurable in our lives!

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 8:13 – The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.