Apr
30
2020
April 30, 2020 – Click here to listen
There is a jingle that has lyrics that say, sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. That my friends is pure poppycock to the vast majority of people that I’ve met. It probably should read: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will only cause permanent psychological damage. Words are often devastating to those on the receiving end, especially when they come from someone you respect.
There will always be someone willing to hurt you, put you down, gossip about you, belittle your accomplishments, and judge you. The interesting question is how do you react? If you realize that God is your best friend that stands beside you when others cast stones and try their utmost to inflict pain upon you, then you will never be afraid, never feel worthless and never feel alone.”
This behavior is especially harmful to youngsters. The words with which a child’s heart is poisoned, whether through malice or through ignorance, remain branded in his memory, and sooner or later they burn his soul. I can relate. My father belittled me at every opportunity and all too often he was joined by my entire family. There is no greater agony that I have endured than to be subjected to that daily humiliation and pain from my own family.
I learned much later in life that though it may sound corny, challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. Famed newscaster David Brinkley once quipped: “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” I believe that the success I obtained in life was obtained by drawing near God who strengthened and encouraged me to look ahead and not behind and He became my foundation. I knew I could rise above my past and have a bright future with Him by my side. I was determined to prove to those who put me down in my early life that I could succeed, and I did. As it turns out they hardly noticed, and I realized their approval was meaningless but on the other hand I know that God smiled, and He was happy for me and that is what was of most the importance to me.
Whenever I dwell on it, I must admit that those memories of abuse still hurt, and the pain of the constant belittlement left deep scars that are still like papercuts on my fingers. Nonetheless I was able to forgive my father for the verbal and extreme physical abuse. He seemed puzzled when I forgave him and perhaps he didn’t realize that he wasn’t the best dad in the world. It was initially difficult to forgive him, but I called him once a week for almost two decades to check on him, I bought cars for him when he needed a new one, and was with him right up until the end of his life.
As I think about it, I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love. Forgiveness is a big part of love.
Did he deserve forgiveness?
No, but then again neither did I when Jesus forgave my sins.
Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive? Just do it . . .
Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
