Nuggets 77: Passing on the Pain

  • B. Shelburne
  • Jul 29, 2007
  • Series: Nuggets

One day my friend's dog was lying on the front porch when a man walked by on the street, minding his own business.  The dog suddenly ran out and attacked the stranger, biting him on the behind.  Now this dog was a family pet.  He was gentle and had never attacked anybody.  The worried owner took the dog to the vet to be checked for rabies.  As the vet examined the dog, he discovered a piece of broken glass wedged between the pads of the dog's foot.  An angry infection had developed.  The dog was in such pain that even looking at him the wrong way would have set him off.

In our Christian Growth Course I discuss with students the origins of low self-esteem.  One cause is growing up under a bitter parent who rarely affirms the child but jumps on every fault.  How does a parent (or anyone) become habitually critical and bitter?  While some people are mean to the core, more likely the person is simply carrying his/her own unresolved load of woundedness and pain.  We hurt others because we are hurting.

This is tragic because it is so unnecessary.  God offers us grace so we can become gracious.  Have you ever known one of those amazing people who, in spite of layered misfortunes, remains positive?  We go to cheer them up and they cheer us up instead!  The gospel sets us free from past guilt, but can free us from so much more!  Being forgiven is only the beginning.  He forgives us so we can forgive.  Christ teaches us how to resolve the pain of the past, how to lay to rest bitter memories.  He gives us a positive new reason for living and replaces our pain with joy.  We can now bless others because we are blessed.  We can build up and not tear down.

Matthew 12:36,37;  Ephesians 4:29-5:2;  Galatians 5:19-23;  2 Corinthians 5:17;  1:3,4;  Colossians 3:13;  Matthew 6:12,14,15;  Isaiah 50:4

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Copyright 2007 by G.B. Shelburne, III.  May be freely reproduced or forwarded for non-commercial purposes provided content is unchanged and this copyright notice is included.  These shepherding messages are sent to members and friends of New Beginnings Church (www.nbchurch.com), to students and alumni of South Houston Bible Institute (www.shbi.org), and to other interested persons.

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