Entry #37 - Bruise or Hematoma?

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!