before your head hits the pillow...

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent... put your trust in the Lord. — Psalm 4:4–5 Before I Go to Bed Every Night by Lysa TerKeurst, from The Forgiveness Journal We're learning that a key part in practicing forgiveness is keeping our hearts swept clean — staying humble enough to admit and confess where we need God's forgiveness, and then daily forgiving whatever may have made us feel wronged. Keeping our hearts swept clean protects us from the enemy and from slipping into the bitterness that can take over our thoughts and actions.   After I began thinking about this more, I started to see God's call to this task repeatedly in Scripture:   Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold... Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. — Ephesians 4:26–27, Ephesians 4:31–32   Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you... Purify your hearts. — James 4:7–8   Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. — 1 Peter 5:6–9   I became aware that I must get intentional when I go to bed every night. Isn't God gracious that He allows this teaching to be tied to something we see every night? As the sun is going down, I remember it's time for God to clean me out. I do not want to go to bed with anger or other difficult emotions sitting heavy in my heart.   What exactly are we supposed to do instead?   Psalm 4:4–5 (ESV) says,   Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent... put your trust in the Lord.   When I lay on my bed and search my heart, I find all kinds of unsettled hurt. If I fixate on it, it could lead me to sin.   Instead, if I turn my thoughts to God, He will work in my heart every time.   Psalm 36 lays out the specifics here. It warns us against overlooking our own sin, embracing what is wrong, plotting evil, and failing to act wisely or do good (Psalm 36:2–4).   This is where harbored resentment and unresolved anger takes us.   The psalmist guides us to think instead about God's love, faithfulness, righteousness, justice, abundance, delight, life, and light (Psalm 36:5–9). When we think on these things, God will take our mess of emotions and turn it into peace.   He'll shift our thoughts from our perspective to His.   I've been trying this each night. It's making me more patient during the next day because I do not want the reactions of the day to become my regrets of the night. I'm having less anxiety and feelings of angst because I'm no longer stirring up my hurt and letting it consume me.   Make a peaceful nightly ritual of being silent before God.   Let Him search out your heart and ask Him to turn your thoughts to Him. Ask for His forgiveness and His presence.   Ask Him to help you forgive others. Learn to savor the silence and welcome His renewal and rest.   I'm still not able to do it perfectly, but I'm getting better, and it's making a difference. Excerpted with permission from The Forgiveness Journal, copyright Haven Place Ministries. Your Turn   What do you need to give to the Lord tonight? What hurt remains unsettled? Turn your mind to the Lord and fix your thoughts on His love, faithfulness, righteousness, justice, abundance, delight, life, and light (Psalm 36:5–9) instead. Ask for His help. Ask Him in to the hurt places and let Him do the work that only He can do. Come share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you. ~ Devotionals Daily COMMENT Share this devotion with someone who needs it today. Have you signed up yet? The Forgiving What You Can't Forget Online Bible Study by Lysa TerKeurst starts on August 9th and registration is still open. LEARN MORE SAVE ON STUDY RESOURCES Save up to 40% off each study resource when you purchase from FaithGateway Store and get FREE U.S. shipping on all orders over $35.00 now through August 31, 2021.   Each participant should have her own copy of the study guide, as well as her own copy of the book Forgiving What You Can't Forget.  STUDY GUIDE + BOOK Lysa TerKeurst has walked this journey, carrying so many wounds that felt unforgivable, that she at first refused to write these lessons! But after more than 1,000 hours of theological study, Lysa has discovered that Scripture not only offers the truth about forgiveness that our souls desperately need, but practical ways to let go of our bound-up resentment and finally heal.  Study guide, regular: $15.99 Sale: $10.00 Hardcover book, regular: $26.99 Sale: $16.00 LEARN MORE COMBO KIT While your access to the videos will be free via online streaming week-by-week, if you need to follow a different schedule, or if you're in a setting without a great Internet connection, consider the DVD too! Each combo pack includes one study guide and one DVD.   *Get the combo kit if you prefer DVD format for your videos *Free lifetime streaming video access with every DVD purchase Combo pack, regular: $44.99 Sale: $27.00 LEARN MORE     Plus, don't miss Lysa's additional resources   These are not required for participation in the Online Bible Study, but you may also enjoy...   Save 40% off The Forgiveness Journal by Lysa TerKeurst   Discover the life-changing message of forgiveness in this lovely four-color journal, written by Lysa TerKeurst, complete with personal photographs and interactive content.  Hardcover, Regular: $19.99 Sale Price: $12.00 (40% off) LEARN MORE In this unique interactive journal, you'll be guided into digging deeper into what you are reading in each chapter of the book. Lysa shares:   Honest reflections where she wrestles with forgiving those who hurt her the most. Powerful readings about forgiveness and healing. Encouraging quotes from Forgiving What You Can't Forget Journaling prompts for personal processing, along with space to write. With beautiful four-color photographs of Lysa's home and other significant places she worked through her own healing, The Forgiveness Journal is a wonderful bonus companion to our study. + Save on Lysa's Devotional   Seeing Beautiful Again: 50 Devotions to Find Redemption in Every Part of Your Story      Hardcover Devotional Regular: $19.99 Sale: $15.00 (40% off) LEARN MORE What readers are saying...   Very Meaningful Devotional! This devotional makes me smile, contemplate things and sometimes cry. It is very well written. I will be passing it on to my sister by choice.. ~ Susan D., verified buyer   Uplifting! When you are walking through difficult times these devotionals help to ground your soul in God's truth and your worth regardless of what is going on around you. And they remind you that God has a plan for your life-for good, not for evil.. ~ Elaine B., verified buyer   I LOVE THIS BOOK! It is beautiful to the eye and the words inside are beautiful to the reader. Just what I needed. ~Sharry R., verified buyer   Learn more about all the study materials and Lysa's devotional     SHOP THE ENTIRE COLLECTION   *Sale prices valid through 8/31/2021, ending at 11:59pm EST, excluding eBooks and audiobooks.  eBooks and audiobook purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose.  Free U.S. shipping on orders over $35 valid, excluding Alaska and Hawaii

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