Blog

Racial Healing
Friday, August 9, 2024 by Rick Stockwell

Racial Healing

 

READ 1 John 4:7-21

The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the

 outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

- 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

 

While the American Civil War during the 1860s purported to end slavery, and the American civil rights war during the 1960s purported to end discrimination, racial issues persist. Decades of protest marches, court battles, school busing, legislative actions, and discussion panels, while helpful, have failed to bring lasting racial harmony. What can we do about this?

Acknowledgment. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). We ought to ask God to reveal any racist thoughts within us or any racist actions committed by us. If we have asked God to examine our hearts, and confessed and repented of any known sins, we can know we are forgiven and have a clear conscience. 1 John 3:21 says, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.”

Forgiveness. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15). How can we expect God to forgive our sins if we refuse to forgive those who have treated us or our ancestors unjustly? We can’t always control what other people do to us, but we can always control what we do to them. If we fail to forgive, the perpetrators retain their power over us, and we remain out of fellowship with God.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 

Acknowledgment and forgiveness lead to healing.

 

Prayer:  LORD, please help us to love others, regardless of their outward appearance.

 

Prayer Focus:  FORGIVING THOSE WHO HAVE HURT US.

 

Rick Stockwell

Rick Stockwell is employed as an IT Program Manager. He teaches Sunday school for kindergartners, is an elder at his church, and is the author of two Christian novels: THE WALL and THE BATTLE. He's been married for thirty-four years, and has two children and five grandchildren.

Book link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HQ8G3MJ 

 


Previous Posts

What is Truth?
Rick Stockwell

12/20/2024

Success
Rick Stockwell

12/13/2024

Crumbs
Rick Stockwell

12/6/2024

TV Turnoff
Rick Stockwell

11/29/2024

Thanksgiving
Rick Stockwell

11/22/2024

Burning Brightly
Rick Stockwell

11/15/2024

One-Way Mirror
Rick Stockwell

11/8/2024

Time
Rick Stockwell

11/1/2024

My List
Rick Stockwell

10/25/2024

Bronzed
Rick Stockwell

10/18/2024

Anti-malware Software Needed
Rick Stockwell

10/11/2024

A Real Miracle
Rick Stockwell

10/4/2024

Forgotten God
Rick Stockwell

9/27/2024

Version 2.0
Rick Stockwell

9/20/2024

Chasing Shadows
Rick Stockwell

9/13/2024

Red Scribbles
Rick Stockwell

9/6/2024

The One I Esteem
Rick Stockwell

8/30/2024

Swimming Lessons
Rick Stockwell

8/23/2024

Hard Heart
Rick Stockwell

8/16/2024

Racial Healing
Rick Stockwell

8/9/2024

Are you Listening?
Rick Stockwell

8/2/2024

The Narrow Path
Rick Stockwell

7/26/2024

Go Save Someone
Rick Stockwell

7/19/2024

He Knows What You Need
Rick Stockwell

7/12/2024

Bleach
Rick Stockwell

7/5/2024

Firm Foundation
Rick Stockwell

6/30/2024

Impressions
Rick Stockwell

6/21/2024

Running Uphill
Rick Stockwell

6/14/2024

Are We Listening?
Rick Stockwell

3/31/2021

Go Save Someone
Rick Stockwell

3/31/2021

He Knows What You Need
Rick Stockwell

3/31/2021

Firm Foundation
Rick Stockwell

3/31/2021

Bleach
Rick Stockwell

3/31/2021

Impressions
Rick Stockwell

2/15/2018

Running Uphill
Rick Stockwell

11/29/2017

Racial Healing
Rick Stockwell

2/9/2017

Start Each Day With Prayer
Rick Stockwell

5/10/2016