I took the photo above at sunrise on New Years day. The beauty I find in the rising and setting of the sun is endless. The colors seem infinitely unique and often take my breath away. Add to that the visual power, along with soothing sounds and smells of the water, and you’ve got my favorite recipe for peace. No matter what is going on in my life, I always find myself feeling calm and innately connected to the Holy Spirit when standing by the water observing the arrival or departure of daylight.

I realize everyone finds their peace and connection with God’s spirit in any number of places. Do you know where that place is for you? Is it driving alone in your car listening to music? Is it walking in the woods or camping under the stars? Is it standing the the doorway of your sleeping child’s room, taking in their pure and beautiful souls at rest? Maybe it’s any or all of these places, and a million more I can’t even think of with my limited perspective.

My point is this: you need to be aware of the circumstances that allow you to feel connected to the Lord, because there will be times when you feel you’re reaching your breaking point and you need to have a plan for what to do when those times blindside you. Just as people who struggle with addiction have sponsors (people they can call and rely on to help them fight off the attacks of temptation), we, as children of God, have the most incredible sponsor of all: Jesus Christ.

Jesus knew we were weak and sinful, always prone to give in to temptation. Even so, He chose to take on every fall, every failure, every mistake we would ever make, and in doing so, give us His strength so we would ALWAYS have a way to come back from every possible stumble we might make. Take a moment and consider the true magnitude of that gift…the depth of love it would take to willingly make such an enormous sacrifice so we have a direct path home to our Heavenly Father.

What would you be willing to go through for someone you love? Would you be willing to continue to love them, even when they chose to turn their backs on you, breaking every promise they ever made to you? Would you walk through a crowded room while people were calling you names, beating you, spitting on you, and laughing at your pain, then still choose to stand up and die for them? Sounds brutal, but that is exactly what happened to Jesus. He did it for you. He did it for me. He did it for your babies and for your parents. He did it for your brothers and sisters. For your best friends and your so-called enemies. He did it for the best of us, but also for the worst of us.

The next time you’re holding on to your own anger, refusing to forgive in the face of sincere love and remorse, please ask yourself why. Ask yourself why it’s easier for you to choose to turn your back and spit on one who loves you, instead of choosing to work towards love and forgiveness. Take the issue, the temptation, the struggle, and share it with God in one of those places where you are able to connect with Him most freely, and ask Him to help you do whatever He needs you to do. Thank Him for bringing you the struggle, knowing He will use it to bring you closer to Him, also making you stronger in the face of the next temptation that will come your way. The next time you realize you’re refusing to forgive, choosing anger over love, think of all that Jesus has forgiven of you in your life, then ask yourself what makes your anger more righteous than His…