Peace Comes From Forgiveness

Peace Comes From Forgiveness

Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50

Sometimes the medicine I prescribe doesn’t come from a pharmacy; it comes from a book. That was the case with Suzy.

When I make my rounds at the nursing home, I often hear the TV going in the background. Usually my patients and I are oblivious to the noise, but one morning a familiar voice caught my ear. I stopped what I was doing, looked over at the TV, and there on the screen was Suzy, a young patient of mine, being interviewed on a national talk show.

With her bright blue hair and over-the-top personality, Suzy was easy to recognize. The program was investigating the backgrounds of people from the adult entertainment industry, and Suzy was one of several guests. As her doctor, I knew she was a dancer at a men’s club, but she had never said anything about her childhood.

As I caught snippets of the conversation, Suzy spoke of growing up in an abusive household and being bullied at school. She said she’d always been timid and shy as a little girl and that working in adult entertainment had made her feel powerful. But by running from her past, she had ended up in a very dark place. The interviewer wrapped up the show by reflecting on how our past can so often dictate our future.

A few weeks later, Suzy made an appointment to see me. When I entered my office and sat down behind my desk, she began to cry. Gone was the over-the-top personality I’d seen on TV. Before me sat a sad and remorseful little girl.

“Ever since I made my confession on TV,” she said, “my world has come crashing down.”

She looked at me and wiped away the tears.

“I’m not dancing for money anymore. I opened the door of my heart to Jesus and let him in. But I still can’t forgive myself for all the bad and stupid things I’ve done in my life.”

Suzy didn’t need a medical prescription; she needed reassurance. I gave her today’s verse and told her to read it four times a day. When Jesus says that we’re saved by faith, it means we’re saved from our past, as well. Suzy just needed to embed this truth in her heart.

TODAY’S RX

If God has forgiven us, we must also forgive ourselves.

Help me to remember, Jesus, that when I don’t forgive myself, I make light of your sacrifice. You endured a torturous death to atone for my sin, and I never want to forget that. Thank you for forgiving me and washing me white as snow.