Moving Forward: the Forgiveness & Essential Oils Connection – Part 4
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me…to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning. (Isaiah 61:1,3)
Did you know that ashes make great fertilizer? Likewise, God desires to transform our futile situations into fruitful soil. Forgiveness plays a key role in walking in the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22). God designed essential oils that are extracted from flowers to help us experience more peace and joy.
In the Forgiveness and Essential Oils series, I’ve covered the first 3 of 4 phases of forgiveness.
- Phase 1 – Denying Hurts/Uncovering Anger
- Phase 2 – Deciding to Forgive
- Phase 3 – Working Through Forgiveness
After we release the pain of the offense, gain a perspective of the offender, and work toward compassion, we step into the last phase of forgiveness (Phase 4) – freedom from the emotional prison.
This includes:
- Discover the meaning of suffering.
- Discover the purpose of your life.
- Discover the freedom of forgiveness.
(Enright, p. 338)
To clarify…
FORGIVENESS IS NOT…
LETTING THE GUILTY PERSON OFF THE HOOK. Even if we have been told that what happened was our fault, no one has the right to violate a child or an adult. If a person has committed a crime, legal action may need to happen to prevent others from being a victim.
FORGIVENESS IS…
HANDING THE OFFENDING PERSON OVER TO GOD. Pray for God’s justice to prevail if the offender does not take responsibility for their actions. God’s word exhorts us to make every effort toward reconciliation if it is safe to do so. “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Col 3:13-15). If there has been a deep hurt, proceed slowly with the relationship to see if trust can be developed. If reconciliation is not possible due to the choices of another person, there’s inner freedom from the act of forgiveness. While reconciliation requires two people, forgiveness only requires one. Being able to sincerely pray blessings for the person reflects true forgiveness.
Flower Essential Oils and Forgiveness
Flowers in the springtime represent beauty and new growth after the season of winter. They produce the aroma that attracts insects for pollination, which is symbolic for birth and new beginnings (Battaglia, 2005). Likewise, forgiveness enables the Holy Spirit to fill our heart with more love and beauty. Applying oils distilled from flowers may instill even more love due to the positive impact the chemical components have on the emotional seat of the brain (see end of blog for essential oil application instructions). Some of the essential oils distilled from flowers are: Basil (Sweet) – Ocimum basilicum ct linalool, Chamomile, German – Matricaria recutita, Chamomile, Roman – Chamaemelum nobile, Clary Sage – Salvia sclarea, Helichrysum (Croatia) – Helichrysum italicum Honey Myrtle – Melaleuca teretifoliaLavender – Lavandula angustifolia, Marjoram (Sweet) – Origanum marjorana, Neroli – Citrus aurantium var. amara, Rose absolute – Rose damascena, Rose/Geranium co-distill – Rosa damascena/Pelargouium Roseum X Asperum, Yarrow – Achillea millefolium, Ylang Ylang (complete) – Cananga odorata (Aromatics International Website, 2016).
Personal Reflections/Conclusion
One of the ways that I offered forgiveness was by transplanting flowers from my garden to the garden of the person I forgave. This physical act was symbolic of God’s love uprooting the hurt from my heart and planting a new relationship with this person in fresh soil.
There truly is freedom in forgiveness and the healing power of Jesus. I no longer take anti-depressants or thyroid medication/supplements. Now, I have a joyful bounce in my step. I consider my suffering to be like ashes. One of the verses that I have been living by is 2 Cor 1:5 “For just as the sufferings of Christ flow into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” God is transforming my ashen experiences into fragrant opportunities to help others in their process of forgiveness.
In addition to encouraging others who have been offended or abused, the Lord has given me a strong desire to reclaim “what the locusts have taken” (Joel 2:25). The Lord has instilled in me a passion for teaching about the healing power of Jesus, Scripture, prayer, and God’s Creation – to be one of His vessels to help transform survivors of abuse into THRIVERS.
As flowers are
the radiant crown of a plant,
forgiveness is the glory of the heart.
Beauty that springs forth
reaching beyond the human eye
extending farther than we can imagine.
Amen.
Ways to Use Essential Oils From Flowers
- Diffuse any of the flower oils in an essential oil diffuser. The number of drops is determined by your preference.
- Topical Use – 1oz Dark Colored Bottle: Pour 10-15 drops of essential oil into a carrier oil i.e. olive oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba or other massage oil; 5-6 drops per oz for children and the elderly.
- Inhale oils directly from the bottle.
Plant Therapy and Aromatics International have high quality essential oils, and test each batch to ensure the purity of the oils.
Oils of Shakan has already prepared a unique essential roll-on blend named Eleos, which contains the flower essential oil of Honey Myrtle. Eleos means “mercy” in Greek.
References:
Battaglia, S. (2003) The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy
Enright, R. (2012) The Forgiving Life: A Pathway to Overcoming Resentment and Creating a Legacy of Love. Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association
Suggested Reading:
“The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy” by Battaglia
“The Forgiving Life” by R. Enright
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Here is the full Forgiveness & Essential Oils Connection Blog Series for your reference:
- Introduction
- Part 1: Denying Hurts – uncovering your anger and coping mechanisms
- Part 2: Why Forgive? – deciding to forgive
- Part 3: Breezing Through Forgiveness – working on forgiveness
- Part 4: Moving Forward – discovery and release from emotional prison
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