The cycles of retribution are so unnerving to watch, and so not Jesus like.
I witness this every week in some form or another. The cycle of retribution.
One person hurts another. Intentionally or unintentionally. The hurt person sulks, then finds a way to retaliate. Sometimes the retaliation takes the form of outward aggression. Sometimes the retaliation is delivered through a smug self-righteousness. Sometimes the wound simmers just waiting for the opportunity to come to a head and burst open again.
I witness this every week in some form or another. The cycle of retribution.
One person hurts another. Intentionally or unintentionally. The hurt person sulks, then finds a way to retaliate. Sometimes the retaliation takes the form of outward aggression. Sometimes the retaliation is delivered through a smug self-righteousness. Sometimes the wound simmers just waiting for the opportunity to come to a head and burst open again.
Driving gets aggressive. You cut me off, I cut you off. At home, words are exchanged. Relationships are fractured. People are wounded.
It never ends until we decide to end it. A hurts B. B hurts A. A hurts B. B goes home and hurts his family. B's family is wounded now and begins to hurt others. On it goes. Until, someone decides to bury the hatchet, to put the weapons down.
Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. He did not pick up the weapons of retaliation.
Look into your heart. Are you holding a grudge? Look into your hands. Are you holding weapons of retaliation?
Lay them down. Let it end. Here. Now. Today. In this moment. God can fill the gaping wound. Free them, and in so doing, free yourself.
It never ends until we decide to end it. A hurts B. B hurts A. A hurts B. B goes home and hurts his family. B's family is wounded now and begins to hurt others. On it goes. Until, someone decides to bury the hatchet, to put the weapons down.
Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. He did not pick up the weapons of retaliation.
Look into your heart. Are you holding a grudge? Look into your hands. Are you holding weapons of retaliation?
Lay them down. Let it end. Here. Now. Today. In this moment. God can fill the gaping wound. Free them, and in so doing, free yourself.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com
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