Steps
in
Grace
Steps in Grace Principle:
FORGIVENESS
Where we have been harmed or have hurt others, we grieve our losses, forgive and seek forgiveness, and make appropriate amends. This frees us from past circumstance so we can achieve peace and resolution.
RESOLUTION.
FREEDOM.
HEALING.
James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Luke 6:31 - Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Matthew 5:23-24 - Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Luke 17:4 - And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”
PARALLEL MATERIALS
Living Grace, Chapters 8, 9 & 11
Supplementary studies with parallel audio Bible Studies, Steps 8 & 9
"Forgiveness starts with giving up the right
to get even."
Anonymous
FORGIVENESS WISDOM
Lewis B. Smedes on FORGIVENESS
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
"It takes one person to forgive, it takes two people to be reunited.”
“Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future.”
“You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.”
“When we forgive evil we do not excuse it, we do not tolerate it, we do not smother it. We look the evil full in the face, call it what it is, let its horror shock and stun and enrage us, and only then do we forgive it.”
R
MANAGING STRESSORS (LG CH.8)
STRESS BUSTERS (p.50-51)
Choose a handful of Stress Busters that might you try out in the next while and place the items related to them in a basket somewhere you might notice them. For example, include a book you've wanted to read for a while, a prayer book, a list of relaxation exercises, bath salts.
INSPIRING STONES FOR HEALTHY HABITS
You can find a flat rock and paint the bottom side with black or white acrylic paint. Use a sharpie or white painter marker to write slogans one side of habits you want to break such as: Black and white thinking; predicting the future, negative labeling, jumping to conclusions; creating expectations; The Blame and Shame game, emotional submersion or paralysis, etc. And on the flip side, write the opposite replacement - habits you want to build - such as: See the nuance; One Day at a time; Rest in What Is; Balanced Positivity; Patiently gather Information; Accept Not Knowing; Blame, No Gain; Variety; Do the Next Thing, etc. Web search rock painting for endless ideas for decorating.
TRIGGERS & CYCLES (LG CH.9)
Supplemental materials for p.51
About Reactions and Patterns. . .Make note and make plans:
BE PREPARED: What might you do or think in order to distract yourself or dissipate your symptoms next time these happen?
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CONNECT with Others: It doesn’t have to be a big crowd. Find things you like to do with others and do one once in a while.
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You ARE RESPONSE-ABLE. Consider these:
Able to practice a good habit
Able to put a positive twist on something
Able to get up and do just “the next thing”
Able to start one goal or habit or hobby or some other positive action
Able to care for your body, soul, or spirit with something easy, relaxing
Able to work towards balancing taking care of my needs with wants
