There go I
I have been hurt. Who hasn't?
We live in a world where people hurt people. Sometimes we are hurt physically sometimes emotionally and perhaps spiritually by people we know and sometimes by people we don't know.
Pain can be brought upon us in various ways by anyone...and we can dish it out just as much.
A pastor once said this to us during a mid-week bible study when I was much younger many years ago, he said, "Hurt people hurt people" no he wasn't stuttering, nor was he repeating himself. He was saying that people who are hurt (hurt people) will often times hurt others (hurt people) so, hurt people hurt people.
I don't know if he came up with it or if he heard it from someone else. But it makes a lot of sense.
As I am writing this the date is April 15th 2020 and we are in a world wide pandemic fighting with the virus known as Corona Virus (Covid19). All people around this planet are in government ordered self quarantine made to follow the implemented social distancing rules.
The reason I mention this is that people are essentially trapped in their homes. For many people this is the first time that they, their spouses and maybe along with their children they are together in close quarters for weeks with one another and in such situations tempers can get the best of them and if someone has unresolved pain they may lash out. If they have hurts they may feel trapped and hurt those around them.
Oftentimes I have heard people say that if someone hurt another that the hurt person should have the one doing the hurting charged, sued or thrown in jail. Depending on the hurt, I have oftentimes said I disagree. Many times this is said more for the sake of revenge rather than justice
In cases of rape, murder, severe and brutal bodily harm or similar cases I would say yes. But in some other cases such as a shove, slap, even a punch depending on the damage I would say not. And of-course the situation as to why the person lashed out comes into play as well. I can already see comments against my statement, and that is ok, but ask yourself why you disagree. I am not telling anyone what to do or how to react, just to make a just decision.
Many times a person will lash out out of frustration or anger and being arrested, sued or something like that does not help anyone. What does help is counselling. People who easily 'fly off the handle' and hurt others usually have deep seeded pain from their past and need counseling and not prison.
I have had people hurt me badly, I did not jump to suing, calling police etc. At the time I didn't know what to do but I eventually came to the realization (even though I was angry at them and hurt) that they are dealing with unresolved issues and are merely lashing out. They probably don't even know why.
As a Christian I forgave them and that did more for me than being vengeful. I also know the old saying, "there but for the grace of God go I".
I know Jesus and by His grace I have become calm, patient and forgiving. I have physical pain and I have been hurt emotionally and mentally. I don't want anyone to endure what I have. I believe if it wasn't for Jesus i could easily have become an angry, bitter person who hurts others, "there but for the grace of God go I". It is said that those words were spoken by the English evangelical preacher and martyr, John Bradford (circa 1510–1555). He is said to have uttered the variant of the expression - "There but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford", when seeing criminals being led to the scaffold. (https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/there-but-for-the-grace-of-god.html)
Far too often in today's society people will look for revenge, to hurt those who hurt them. Lawsuits, calls to police, arrests etc have become the norm and courts, jails, prisons are overwhelmed with people because others couldn't forgive and were out for vengeance.
Remember
Roman's 12:17-19 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
We are to obey God. The Lord has taught us and still teaches us to treat others as we want them to treat us. He teaches us to be kind, compassionate, loving, giving and forgiving.
Leave the punishment in His hands. It is said that we are no better than anyone else, we have sinned and we will sin again. Would we want to be punished or would we want to be shown mercy and forgiveness?
Think about it
but there for the grace of God go I
- 'There but for the grace of God, go I' - meaning and origin.
What's the meaning and origin of the phrase 'There but for the grace of God, go I'?
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2020 Pastor Thomas Czech ✝️