With great confidence and head held high, I start to walk down the dark hallway. Halfway I begin to panic, my mouth dries out, my feet feel like cement and my vision blurs. Unwill- ing to give in to the paralyzing fear, I shake off the jitters of defeat and continue my way to the ring.


Fighting Foregiveness By Daniele Randolph Sitting upon the rickety chair in the dim lit room I hear the


crowd roaring with excitement. I stand and gaze at my reflection in the small, oval shaped mirror. Today will be the day that I will either walk away a conqueror or lie in defeat. I consult my manager for guidance as I prepare to exit the locker room. With one last glance I say to myself, I will win this fight.


8 INSPIRATION TODAY


Frazzled once again, this time by the loud cheers erupting from the crowd, I turn to witness the entrance of my opponent. “You can do this,” I repeat to myself as I continue to look over. The more I stare the more I begin to question my ability to win this fight. You see, my opponent appears to have the upper hand. My opponent knows things about me that I would rather keep private. If ever it appears that I’m going to win the fight, my opponent reminds me of the shameful and embarrassing things that I’ve done, and just like that, I’m down for the count.


forgiveness is needed for yourself, the game plan changes. Instead of releas- ing the guilt of the past and accepting God’s promises declared in the book of Psalm, we find ourselves bound by the chains of mental mutilation. “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:10-12).


If I hadn’t done A then B


wouldn’t have happened. If only I had chosen option C but I chose option D and now I’m doomed. Things will never work out for me. God hates me. Why was I created? Is there a purpose for my existence?


We entertain thoughts of despair and destruction. Thoughts


with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet was without sin.” NO matter the error, slip up, set back or fall, get up from where you are. Now is definitely not the time to throw in the towel. Seek God and ask Him to direct your path to true self-forgiveness.


I pray that you know without


a shadow of a doubt that you were not placed on this earth by happenstance. You have purpose and there is a work for you to do. Each day when you wake, shake off the jitters of defeat and start the process of releasing yourself from what has already been. Remind yourself of God’s promises and live in victory for abundance and the true happiness that awaits.


“Blessed is the one whose transgres- sions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against


If I hadn’t done A then B wouldn’t have happened. If only I had chosen option C but I chose option D and now I’m doomed. Things will never work out for me. God hates me. Why was I created? Is there a purpose for my existence?


I’ve tried to adapt to the


unhealthy relationship between the two of us but today I’ve made the declaration that I no longer want to live a shameful, masked and isolated life. I can no longer live in fear of being unloved, scorned, criticized or rejected. So here I am in the middle of the ring, staring into the eyes of my opponent...the guilt of my past. Imagine yourself standing in the ring facing the guilt of your past. Ask yourself, am I warring with what appears to be an unbeatable fight or have I claimed the victory? Through life’s experiences I’ve come to realize that often times the fight to forgive oneself is greater than the fight to forgive another. When it comes to others, biblical principles are applied and forgiveness is granted. However, when that same


that attempt to cancel out the will of the Lord for our very lives. Isaiah 54:10 reads, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” While we were yet in our state of displeasure, through His surmounting compassion and endless grace and mercy, God destined our souls for redemption. You may not have made all of the right choices in the past but rest assured that we serve a God who knows all and has already predestined who you will become. Jeremiah 1:4 states, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” Hebrews 4:5 declares, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize


them and in whose spirit is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1-2).


Daniele Randolph is a member of Palace of Praise Ministries (Tempe, AZ) and the Arizona Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction where she serves as a member of the Board of Trustees.


INSPIRATION TODAY 9


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26