Last week as I drove home I listened to Fox News over the radio. They gave the normal news of the week–what happened in the stock market, what happened in Egypt, and among many other things, the future of healthcare in America.
Right in the middle of all this, they presented an unrelated story. I listened in amazement.
The story revolved around two Ohio Law professors who separated 17 years ago. While we all know husbands and wives who can’t get along, this story seems especially over the top. For 17 years they have fought over their now failed marriage. During that time they filed over 14,000 entries in the public record.
Their filings covered the normal issues–money and child custody. Their children are now 17 and 20. For all of the 17 year olds’ life, the parents have fought. They have fought almost twice as long as they were married (10 years).
The news report talked about clogging the court system which is., of course, bad. But what about clogging your life? What about clogging your children’s life?
I am one of those people who has been blessed never to experience the hurt of divorce, abandonment, and rejection from a destroyed home and marriage. I’m sure I don’t know how these people and their children feel.
I do know hurt, anger, and bitterness clog our arteries and stuff our emotions. Wrath and rage keep us from experiencing the blessings God wants for us.
No wonder God called believers to live in a different way.
Can you imagine the difference if we loved our neighbors as we love ourselves? How different the world would be if we treated others as we want to be treated?
God tells us to “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
This command comes for people who trust Christ and follow His way. May our churches and our families reflect His desire.
If you would like to receive my daily look at life and Scripture, please sign up at the top of the page for a free subscription.
If you would like to share this with Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter friends, please use the buttons at the end of the post.
2 Responses
As true as your words are and as valuable a teaching in instruction for Life in our Lord, there is another maxim: Do not let untruth go unanswered.
This is where Romans 12: 4&5 understanding and the Scriptural teaching of conduct within the Bride must be Honored.
It is a tough task, a time consuming task, a dangerous task, a Faith walk of a task, yet, a necessary task. When the task is ignored, what is left, an illusion of fellowship in Christ? As was said of old, “Choose this day whom you will serve.”
The path of Christ is not always popular and while He sends out two or more, one may find oneself alone. The evil one is relentless. Only with the Body of Christ alive can one prevail on this side of eternity, Scripture teaches this lesson.
Blessings
Thank you, Waylon, for this important reminder: do not allow bitterness to take root, for it will continue to grow and take over the garden of one’s heart (Heb.12:15). Rather, we are to pursue peace with all people, and holiness (Heb. 12:14). Bitterness and holiness cannot abide each other. I appreciate you sharing your wisdom and insight, and thank God for you and Martha.