Deck the Soul with Boughs of Forgiveness, MaryAnn Diorio, Giveaway

"Deck the Soul with Boughs of Forgiveness"

by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

CHRISTMAS!  The word evokes many feelings, depending on our experiences. For some, Christmas is a happy time, filled with beautiful memories and joyful expectations. For others, Christmas is a depressing time, a season one wants “to get over with” as quickly as possible because of bad memories associated with this time of year.

Having ministered to people for many years, I have come to the conclusion that depressing memories at Christmas time are most often related to problems of unforgiveness. Hurts from the past become more pronounced during the Christmas season, but the reason those hurts still affect us is that we have not let go of the bitterness associated with them. In short, we have not forgiven the people who have hurt us.

Why do most people have such a difficult time forgiving? I believe the main reason is that they do not understand what forgiveness really means. If you are one of those people, what follows may help you:

LET’S LOOK AT WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT:

__Forgiveness is NOT letting someone off the hook.

__Forgiveness is NOT condoning evil.

__Forgiven is NOT being a doormat.

__Forgiveness is NOT having to trust again the person who hurt you.

__Forgiveness is NOT a feeling.

__Forgiveness is NOT an option.

NOW LET’S LOOK AT WHAT FORGIVENESS IS:

__Forgiveness IS taking the person who hurt you off of your hook and placing him on God’s hook, then praying that God will have mercy on him.

__Forgiveness IS acknowledging that evil was done but choosing to bear the consequences of that evil without retaliation.

__Forgiveness IS taking charge of your emotions.

__Forgiveness IS setting boundaries with the person who hurt you, even refusing temporary or permanent interaction with that person, if necessary. An example would be a wife who is being beaten by her husband.

__Forgiveness IS a decision.

__Forgiveness IS obedience to God’s commandment to forgive.

No matter how badly you have been hurt, choose to forgive. It’s the best thing you can do for your own well-being. Unforgiveness chains you emotionally to the person who hurt you. Forgiveness breaks that chain and sets you free.

What better time is there than the Christmas season to forgive those who have hurt us? The very essence of Christmas is the truth that God forgave humanity through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Who are we not to forgive others when God has forgiven us?

So this Christmas, forgive! But don’t just forgive. Ask to be forgiven. As the Word of God tells us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NKJV). All of us need not only to forgive but also to be forgiven.  And as long as we are on this earth, it is never too late to forgive or to be forgiven.

______________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2012-2019 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA.  All Rights Reserved. This article may not be reproduced without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may reach her at maryann@maryanndiorio.com.

Featured Book: A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING: A Novella published by Pelican Book Group

BLURB:  Seven Christmases have passed since Sonia Pettit last heard from her daughter Jody. Since Jody's departure, Sonia's world has been turned upside down. Her husband has died of a broken heart, and her son, bitter over his sister's destructive actions, has become rebellious. Her greatest desire is to have her family together at Christmas, but after what Jody has put them all through, can Sonia truly forgive her daughter? Jody Pettit O'Dair ran away to experience a life of adventure and excitement, but since her departure, her world has been turned upside down. She's been abandoned by the man she met and married, lost her job, and is unable to care for her two children. With nowhere else to turn, this prodigal daughter begins the long journey home and prays she will be welcomed after walking away so long ago. Will Jody find forgiveness in the arms of her family as easily as she received it from God?

PURCHASE LINK:  https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Homecoming-Holiday-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B017QL62U2/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=A+Christmas+Homecoming+by+MaryAnn+Diorio&qid=1573578019&sr=8-1

BIO: Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction for both children and adults. She is the author of the well-received trilogy, THE ITALIAN CHRONICLES. Her latest novel, IN BLACK AND WHITE, deals with the issue of racism. MaryAnn has been married to Dom, a retired ER physician, for 50 years. They are the blessed parents of two wonderful adult daughters, a very smart son-in-law, and six rambunctious grandchildren. In her spare time, MaryAnn loves to read, paint, and make up silly songs with her grandchildren. You may learn more about MaryAnn and her writing at www.maryanndiorio.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website: www.maryanndiorio.com
Blog (Matters of the Heart): http://eepurl.com/dwLYEn
Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/author/maryanndiorio
Blog Talk Radio: http:www.blogtalkradio.com/drmaryanndiorio
BookBub.com: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maryann-diorio
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/DrMaryAnnDiorio
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/@DrMaryAnnDiorio
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/DrMaryAnn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryann-diorio-phd-dmin-mfa-99924513/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/drmaryanndiorio/
Google+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/+DrMaryAnnDiorio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmaryanndiorio/
Library Thing: http://www.librarything.com/profile/drmaryanndiorio
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user46487508
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/drmaryanndiorio/

Giveaway offered:  One copy of A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING in e-book format.  It is available from the publisher only in e-book format. Leave your name and contact information below to be entered in the drawing. Giveaway ends one week from today, January 1,

2020 at Midnight O'Clock Central time and will be notified via email.