Forgiveness – over and over again, I come across the declaration that the greatest block to God’s grace is unforgiveness. And God’s grace is such a tremendous gift, even necessity, to live this life in peace and happiness! Peace, in the midst of whatever circumstance I find myself ~ as the old Quaker hymn asserts, “no storm can shake my inmost calm, when to that Rock I’m clinging. If love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?” If Love is Lord – and it is from this Love that I receive the grace I desire to be at peace in my soul.
At Mass this morning, our pastor related the story of a husband and wife who had a typical minor misunderstanding in their relationship. What made it major however, was the reaction of the wife – she exploded in anger over her perceived injury. The husband’s response stopped her in her tracks, as he asked, “How long have you been carrying that?” Being a psychologist and one who helps others deal with their issues helped her to stop and understand the deeper message given to her, which showed an area of accumulated resentments, or grudges, that had been allowed to build up until it burst forth all out of proportion.
Our pastor tied this in to Joseph’s brothers’ fear that Joseph was holding a grudge and that he would retaliate for the wrong that his brothers had done to him by selling him into slavery. Joseph however had received God’s grace to recognize that what his brothers had meant for harm, God had used for good. He held no grudge against his brothers. Indeed, God had used their sin to save their lives, and the lives of many others from starvation in the time of famine. Joseph didn’t hate them and would do them no harm.
To hold a grudge, to harbor resentments, is like a daily dose of poison that accumulates in my body until it reaches a toxicity that causes an explosion, harming not only me but anyone who happens to get in the way. Unforgiveness, how very deadly it is to my own well being, and often to those I love dearly!
The antidote? To keep a short account, to acknowledge and confess my sins as soon as I’m aware of them. To do this, I need to take the time daily, or even more often, to reflect on the day’s happenings and take note of any area of resentment that may have cropped up! And then to let it go, by God’s grace, along with a blessing for whatever triggered the resentment. To douse the sparks before they grow into a deadly fire!
Thank you Lord, for Your Word, that teaches me the best response in times of daily struggles. May I be sensitive to the Spirit, Who enables me to recognize and let go of any potential resentments or grudges before they become deadly. I desire to live a forgiving life Lord, and be an agent of Your peace and mercy in this world….
Spiritual Sun Pennies 