For your consideration….
Forgiving is not the same as resolving the conflict…bringing the problem to resolution.
Yikes, this is a tough message. We know that forgiveness is a key attribute to a happy, healthy life. But our message today tells us that forgiveness alone is not enough. It is empty without conflict resolution.
We have all been there. We argue about something only to have the argument regress into something from the past that is totally unrelated. That is because it was never resolved. Just because we decided to overlook and move on does not mean that it is settled and it will go away.
Our message today tells us to dig deep and resolve our issues at the root cause. Treat the disease and not the symptom. Make no mistake, conflicts that have not been solved at the root level are like a cancer to our life.
Today we are asked to look at each problem and make sure it can stand on its own. If anything else rises to the surface, then we need to resolve it at the root cause level. We need to ask the tough questions. What was our part in the conflict? What can we do to fix it? Do the other people involved feel the same way or have they reached a resolution? If we can not pull out the conflict by its roots, what can we do to kill it at its root? Yes, forgiveness is part of it but it has not done as we had HOPEd if it keeps rising to the surface. What will it take to truly feel unconditional forgiveness so that the conflict loses all of its power?
That is the HOPE. And so it is.
Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take….
-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”
-Drink lots of water.
-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breasts.
-Solve problems at the root level. Ask…”Why am I offended and is that what was intended?” “Why are my feelings hurt? Is that what was intended?” “What was my role?” etc.
What made me smile yesterday…..
-The rain is letting up. Come on out Mr. Sun.
-One of my special ed students had a few problems in the morning. He was now working on a word/spelling program. One of the words was “enough.” Before he could catch the thought, he put it into a sentence, “I’ve had “enough” of Ms. Adams. He heard himself at the same time he said the words and was mortified. “Oh, Ms. Adams that was mean. I did not mean it. The sentence came out.” He hugged me and apologized over and over. He was so sincere but I still had to laugh because the look on his face was just priceless.
-Lunch with Camille.
-A good book finished.
Love, Blessings and Gratitude,
Rev. Chris
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