It has always been my goal to work my way up to
blogging at least once per week. Since it has been five months from my last
blog, obviously I have not reached my goal—at least, not yet. (It’s okay to laugh.) My sincere and humble
thanks and appreciation go to those who have periodically checked to see if
there have been any new postings. But honestly, can you think of a more
interesting title to cure the blogging drought?
For background information, my veins are
notoriously difficult when it comes to having blood drawn. I can totally
sympathize and empathize with those who need regular lab work sessions.
Multiple “sticks” are not pleasant; many of you know exactly what I mean.
Nevertheless, sometimes it is a medical necessity—and so, we persevere. This is
the reason I sit here writing while sporting a good-sized hematoma on my right
arm.
What is the difference between a bruise and a
hematoma? As I understand it, a bruise is a slight injury to the skin that
causes a discoloration. Bruises generally fade quickly. A hematoma is something
more than a bruise. A hematoma generally involves some swelling to the area, often
causes discomfort, and results in a larger area of discoloration. Hematomas
generally do not fade quickly but require a little more time to completely disappear.
The annoying thing about a hematoma is that it exists long enough to create a
negative memory of the whole ordeal. And this, my friends, becomes the focus of
today’s blog entry.
We’ve all experienced hurtful words or unkind
comments at some time in our lives. And in this case, it really doesn’t matter
if it was a verbal bruise quickly forgotten or hematoma lingering in our memory.
Christians are called to “forgive” (overlook or cancel) AND “forget” (remember
no more)!
Proverbs
20:22 (NIV) Do not say, “I’ll pay
you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. [Notice
it does not say the LORD will “get even” for you, but that the LORD will
deliver you. In other words, he will rescue you from your desire to “get even” and
provide peace about the situation.]
Proverbs
24:29 (NIV) Do not say, “I’ll do to
him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did.”
Isaiah
43:18 (NIV) Forget the former
things; do not dwell on the past. [Even
though this verse may be lifted from its original context, it still carries
meaning in the sense of forgiveness.]
Ephesians
4:32 (NIV) Be kind and compassionate
to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians
3:13 (NIV) Bear with each other and
forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the
Lord forgave you.
Colossians
3:13 (NLT) Make allowance for each
other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave
you, so you must forgive others.
The point is clear. When we are bruised by the
words of others; for the Christian, forgiveness is a responsibility and not an
option.
Of course, you know my writing style well and you
know I will usually provide a thoughtful twist for contemplation. Instead of
focusing on what others do to us; let me ask you this: Are the words you use
causing someone else to receive a verbal bruise? Worse, are you causing someone
else to receive a verbal hematoma—something that will cause pain and linger in
their memory for a long time? Are you overly critical of others? Are your
comments generally negative? Are you stuck in a rut of finding the worst for
most situations, and is that reflected in your speech? Good news, there is a
solution!
Job
13:5 (NIV) [Job reminds his
friends as they were giving him a verbal bruising…] If only you would be
altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
Psalm
19:14 (NIV) May the words of my
mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock
and my Redeemer.
Psalm
34:14 (NIV) Turn from evil and do
good; seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm
34:14 (NLT) Turn away from evil and
do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
Psalm
139:4 [combined with] Psalm 141:3 (NLT)
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. … Take
control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.
Proverbs
21:23 (NIV) He who guards his mouth
and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
Proverbs
29:20 (NLT) There is more hope for a
fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
Ecclesiastes
3:1 and second half of v. 7 (NLT) For
everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. … A time
to be quiet and a time to speak.
Romans
12:18 (NIV) If it is possible, as
far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
1
Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV) Love is
patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It
is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no
record of wrongs.
Galatians
6:10 (NIV) Therefore, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to
the family of believers.
Ephesians
4:29 (NIV) Do not let any
unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building
others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Colossians
3:17 [and] 4:6 (NLT) And
whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks through him to God the Father. … Let your conversation be gracious…so
that you will have the right response for everyone.
The swelling on my arm from yesterday’s hematoma
has subsided. It is no longer uncomfortable. But the ugly bruise remains, and
probably will for several days. For me this is an opportunity. As the
discoloration fades, I have time to reflect on the words I use and the way I
respond to others. I have time to pray for forgiveness. I have time to practice
kindness.
Psalm
130:3-4 (NLT) LORD, if you kept a
record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.
Respectfully written and submitted by:
Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian—looking
forward to the Blessed Hope of Christ’s return!
