Emotions are powerful things in all of our lives. We experience anger, sadness, joy, etc. These emotions speak volumes to us about our lives and our relationship with God. If we experience anger, we should try to find out what is the true driver behind it. Often we try to ignore the emotion but in essence God is trying to speak to us through our emotions. If we experience fear, then a trust issue could very well rest at the center of the issue. 

Forgiveness plays a huge part in our lives. I am not talking about just forgiveness in our lives towards others but towards ourselves. When the Apostle Peter denied Jesus three times, Peter displays a wide range of emotions. Mark 14: 71 records Peter showing anger and cursing for being accused of knowing Jesus. Matthew 26:75 highlights that Peter went out and wept bitterly after the third denial. 

After the resurrection, Peter saw Jesus a couple of times but he still returned to fishing. One day he was unsuccessful fishing and a man on the shore advised him to put his net on the others side of the boat. They caught so many fish that the boat started sinking. Then Peter and the other disciples recognized that it was Jesus on the shore. Peter jumps out of the boat and swims to shore. Jesus and Peter would have a conversation that would bring healing to Peter. “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” Jesus asked Peter three times some variation of this question and each time Peter answered the same. What is interesting is that each time Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep or lambs. That would indicate to Peter that Jesus had forgiven him and it was time for him to get back to work. 

Peter was forgiven and he forgave himself. Is there something in your life that is holding you back from forgiving others or yourself. Only when you forgive can you begin to do what God wants you to do. See you soon. Pastor Bob