George Washington writes, “The nation which indulges toward another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity OR to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.”
Are you a slave to pleasing people all the time for whatever the reason, whether it makes sense or not, or, as we are discussing today, a slave to animosity of the soul whereby you hold your grudges and your feelings to the detriment of your well being? You do realize that the two are directly linked in our lives and when you have one, you usually have the other in some form or fashion.
An example would be that you asked a friend to do something of utmost importance within a certain deadline, fully understood, and it was not done. There was no remorse – only excuses. Can this not be said also of relationships where the stronger absorbs the weaker and even though there are no harsh words, resentment sets in and the infection starts to spread.
Why do we not speak of this?
Are we afraid of confrontation? Do we anticipate the worst? Do we really not want to hear the real truth, not some made up truth to please us all? Or, do we just say, we can put up with it and in another day or two, it will go away.
It does not and will not go away unless it is addressed.
John Adams tells us that “All great changes are irksome to the human mind, especially those which are attended with great dangers and uncertain effects.” So what is the danger we face with confrontation? What is the danger of cleansing? What is the danger of being a catylist for change? The real danger lies in the buildup within us of feelings that now are hurt, but which can lead to anger and eventually hate. Is this what we really want in our lives?
People hold things; they hold babies, they hold groceries, they hold books, they hold hands; however, what we hold the most are grudges towards one another for some little something that happened perhaps even years ago and the animosity towards that person is at such a fever pitch that we cannot even look at that person without saying, “Boy, do I remember how I was treated.” “Boy, do I remember what he said about me.” ” Let me tell you about the day I was fired with no reason, just excuses about cutbacks, only to see someone else hired at more money for doing the same job that I was doing.”
Let it go!
As servants, we must accept the changes in human behavior as an everyday occurence and we must have a joy in our being to realize that this is a test, not of our will to withstand, but a test of faith that the right will eventually be shown. Scriptures tell us that everything in the dark will eventually be shown in the light of truth.
If you have feelings of animosity towards someone, bite your lip, gird your loins, control your temper and face the situation at hand in love to institute change for the better. If you enter into this confrontation with WANTING TO BE RIGHT, back off and rethink. Will you really accomplish anything and is not the result MORE animosity over an unresolved situation?
Servants are here solely for the benefit of others and it is our desire to transmit these feelings so that we, too, are receivers of this blessing. Shelly tells us, “Nothing in the world is single, All things by a law divine In one spirit meet and mingle.”
Meet and mingle with your animosity and breathe new life into shattered relationships.
Now, that really is a discussion for another day.
Blessings.