Forogtten Grace
A couple enjoyed a wonderful twenty-year marriage. Compatible in every way, it seemed the perfect match. When he died, the widow proved inconsolable. Her life had come to an end, and she had lost her only hope for love in this world. Then her husband’s secretary dropped off his personal papers, and in them, the widow discovered his affairs with other women.
Instantly, the woman’s grief turned to rage, and her love to hate. She despised her husband for his deception. She removed all memory of him from their home and refused to hear his name spoken, even by their children. When she wrote to her friend Abby, she confessed that she wished him alive just so she could inflict on him the grief his immorality had brought her. Abby wisely urged her to vent her anger with a counselor. Further, she wrote, their marriage was no less wonderful though her husband had been unfaithful.
How often we hold friendships and relationships, hostage, to disagreements and disputes. We forget the good done, the virtue shown, and the worth is proven, just because of a failure or an argument. We sometimes allow one mistake to wipe out a lifetime of love and friendship. Like fire consuming a museum, anger can destroy in a few minutes what it has taken years to collect. Pride will keep us from forgiving. All other feelings can be assuaged by reason, but pride alone remains adamant against grace.
Do Not Dwell On The Negative
Imagine you are driving 50 mph to your office on an open road in sunny Newport Beach. The ocean glistening on your right under the bright sunlight and the cool breeze gently blowing the leaves of the palm trees running continuously alongside of you. Your windows are down and the velvety, silky melodies of John Legend are flowing from your radio. You woke up early this Friday morning and so had plenty of time to enjoy the drive and smell the freshness of the morning air. Just then, you hear the sound of an engine roaring in the distance and it seems to be getting louder and louder. A pearl, white Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution cuts in front of you, slows down so you're forced to slam on the breaks, then a young man rolls down his window, sticks out his middle finger, and roars away.
The blaring Eminem raps coming from his vehicle fades into the distance as he drives away. You're alone on this wide, open road again wondering what you did to upset this man. Your heart is pounding and you're shaken up. A mix of emotions stirs inside you. Do you continue to think about this situation when you get to your office? How about when you get off work and are enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner with your spouse? Do you lie in bed late in the evening under the bright stars twinkling in the sky still pondering about this event that happened at the start of your day? How can one event, one random stranger hold our thoughts prisoner for so long? Regardless of all the other wonderful events that happen during the day, our mind still chooses to focus on this single event. Why?
The truth is that there is no reason for us to dwell on this event. This day, like any other day, is an investment. Invest wisely. Ephesians 5:15-17 states: “Make the most of every opportunity. Don't be vague and thoughtless, but live accurately and purposefully.” You don't have the time to dwell on what this man did to you earlier in the day and be distracted. God has given you a present called today. Get focused. Stay focused. Don't get your mind entangled in things that are not going to help you in getting to your destiny.
Every battle is not worth fighting. If someone has a problem with you and you're not doing anything wrong, then that is their problem and not yours. You don't have to resolve conflict with every person. Some people don't want to be at peace with you. They are a distraction. Don't waste your valuable time consumed by these thoughts that don't matter. Accept the fact that some people are never going to be amicable, and that's all right because Almighty God is on your side. God is our vindicator. Always be kind and respectful, but your attitude should be, “if you're not going to be happy that's your prerogative, but you are not going to keep me from being happy.” This day is a gift and does not try to change things that you cannot change or fix people that don't want to be fixed. Let it go and trust God to make it right.
“God, I am releasing every negative thing that has happened to me today. I'm releasing every hurt; releasing every worry; releasing every disappointment. I'm choosing to forgive the people who did me wrong and I am going to bed in peace.”