When someone hurts us, offends us, ignores us, or rejects us, a deep inner protest emerges. It can be rage or depression, desire to take revenge or an impulse to harm ourselves. We can feel a deep urge to wound those who have wounded us or to withdraw in a suicidal mood of self-rejection. Although these extreme reactions might seem exceptional, they are never far away from our hearts. During the long nights we often find ourselves brooding about words and actions we might have used in response to what others have said or done to us.
It is precisely here that we have to dig deep into our spiritual resources and find the centre within us, the centre that lies beyond our need to hurt others or ourselves, where we are free to forgive and love.
Henri Nouwen, from Bread for the Journey
I needed to read this myself. Sometimes at the moment I find it difficult to hold onto that centre; I know it is there, I know that beneath me are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33.27 NIV), I know that it is not myself (thank God!) on which I rely—but I do need reminding. And I need your prayers, gentle reader!
3 comments:
Thankyou for this post. These may be the only words that could have reached me, this afternoon. I will pray for you.
You have my prayers, Mike. These are roiling waters you are navigating.
Mike, I appreciate and am grateful for this post. The words resonate within me. The heart truly is the battlefield. May you find the still-point at the center. Peace, Mike+
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