Have you ever known someone who is so caught up in their own frustrations that they seem to be impenetrably negative? You know, the kind of negative that doesn't forgive, can't forget, and holds on to the smallest sins against them, counting them up as if they're gold in the pocket, ready to be spent in their next argument or controversy. Then after spending all of those saved up nuggets of resentment they simply collect them off the floor and put them in their pocket to be used once again when the opportunity arises. There are people in this world who choose to hold on to bitterness. They stoke it with the collected thoughts of past wrongs done to them and stir them into a stew so grotesque in nature that it would nauseate the most stalwart of pallets. It’s not as if people in this predicament don’t have reason to be so disheartened about their world. We’ve all found ourselves on the receiving end of injustice and it’s never a pleasant experience. The thing is, we don’t have to hold on to it. There is hope out there. Rather than allowing an endless quarrel to ravage our thoughts, taking us to despair, where we even begin to apply our resentment on those around us who love us, we can be free from that anguish.
“There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.” Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
When Jesus said this simple phrase he was telling his apostles that any good works done in the name of Jesus cannot be done against Jesus. The person working in Jesus name also cannot be counted as being against Jesus. I choose to apply this in my life too. When someone does something wrong to me, perhaps the best thing I can do is help someone for the sake of that person who’s done me wrong. I can do this in many ways. I can pray for God’s grace for that person and those around him or her. I can pray for something that I know that person is interested in and ask for blessings on his or her Godly desires. I can physically go and help someone who needs help and do so in the name or with prayer for the person who’s wronged me. When I’m ready, I can contact that person and make amends for my part of our differences. I can even seek to help others not related to the situation. When our eyes are on others, it’s hard to wallow in self-pity or anger. By becoming people of action we become people of faith, since faith without action is dead, when we are in a spirit of controversy, we must act in a positive way towards furthering the love of Christ or our lack of faith will lead us to perdition.
Some people seem to think they must wait for the world around them to improve so that they can gain faith so that eventually they can act according to Christ’s wishes. Others believe that it is through their actions they come to know Christ and truly feel his spirit. In other words, they bless other people first so that they can then feel Christ’s presence. When I recognize that I’m in an argument with the phantom of someone else in my head, I do as Jesus did on the mountain. I say to that phantom, “Get out of here Satan! In Jesus name I will not allow you to destroy my love for my brother!” I then pray for the blessings on those I have challenges with and pray for their good health. When possible, I go to reconciliation. Satan will use every tool at his disposal to get into our heads and defeat us from within. Just like the wolves in a dark forest, the best deer to hunt is the deer that is alone. The best way to not be alone is to go and bless someone’s life. Share God's love before you even realize you have it in you and you will know the joy of Christ's heart.
Blessings on you and your ministry, Perry
Psalm 19th The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. Leed Sheet