“The elimination diet: remove anger, regret, worry, resentment, guilt, and blame. Then watch your health and life improve.”
– Charles Glassman.
It has recently come to my awareness, through the past year’s worth of interactions with one person in particular, that I am terrible at holding a grudge. I just can’t bring myself to care enough. It’s too much energy.
There are plenty of things I’m terrible at that I wish not to be, many in the realm of communication. What drives me personally crazy is my very slow/borderline complete inability to put my thoughts and feelings into words, which makes writing a blog quite ironic.
Relational issues come up from time to time, less often with my more “adult” friends honestly. But regardless of the person or situation, it has become glaringly obvious that I can’t bring myself to nestle in deep with unforgiveness.
Through the wisdom and help of several people, I am learning where my responsibility in a conflict ends (for example, my role does not reach so far as to be responsible for another persons interpretation of circumstances or the emotions they have developed because of their thoughts- DUH, but I’m slow at this obvious stuff sometimes.)
Thankfully, I often filter other people’s words and actions through “believing the best.” Simply, filling in the gaps or the unknowns or what I don’t readily understand with intentionally choosing to believe the kindest, most loving intentions on behalf of the other person. This decision has been a saving grace across many people and situations.
Festering wounds don’t have time to grow when they are drenched in compassion, validation, forgiveness, and acceptance of someone’s perspective. When we truly put on love above all else, resentment doesn’t stand a chance.
Thank you Jesus for giving me a natural bent toward giving grace after grace, like you freely and repeatedly do for me
Relational Guru’s (and their clickable links) who have largely contributed to my growth in navigating friendships in a more healthy way:
Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Go-to oldie goldies.
Matthew Hussey
Hugely relates to friendships!
Brooke Castillo
Podcast binge anyone?
BryanHomestead 