There is a glut of nasty waste moving through humanity on an hourly basis. Woundedness lives on. Our determined perpetuation of such increases as minds grow stubborn out of aggravation toward those who hurt us. Simultaneously, hearts of hope grow dim. I speak of the most aggressive enemy to each of us...our own unforgiveness of others...every other.
People hurt people. People offend people. But...hurters and offenders tend to grow up. So why do we seemingly even enjoy carrying on the sharp and deep hurt of past offenses which may/can/are to be forgiven at moment's decision? The reason? We don't want to. The result? The carrier of lack of mercy toward another is eaten alive with ugly vengeance and hatred; all-the-while living unhealed while blaming the "other" party.
This. Is. Not. Good. Furthermore, This. Isn't. Even. Necessary.
To carry on grudges or arguments or injuries over the past of ten days ago or ten years ago is a waste of one's own health; mental, social, and physical. We can show mercy the moment we choose. And the Word says that God will show mercy on the scale that we show mercy. His advice is, Don't leave home without it (James 2:10-13). Our seeming joy that we can make the offender pay is only determining the sentence we will receive at the Judgment. We determine how ours will go--what God will say to us--by the way we treat those who offend us.
Forgiveness does not reside within the behavior of the offender; but within the heartfelt action of the offended. Bringing an end to violators is not the solution. The end of harboring ill feelings toward them is. We. Are. All. Just. Alike.
Our families, our businesses, and our churches are breeding houses of animosity. Rage, in places, rages; if not openly, then silently. Squint-eyed animosity sets up camp within every heart; but, we are the ones who can deny it the power to affect one moment of our day. The truth is that some seem to enjoy hating as if there is no alternative. Yet, there is immediate cure when our own mercy is shown.
Mankind is living in perpetual tempest of insult and injury. This can be changed in a heartbeat; when we decide to change it. We can heal the world--our personal world--by letting go of spirit-beating resentment which takes its inner toll. We can bring new life, new strength, and new hope to society immediately. It will never be due to another's repentance; but due to our determined, selfless forgiveness.
Be healed.
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