"On Grievances and Healing"

The thorn finally came to the surface, so it could readily be removed.  It was minute, not even the size of an eyelash, but it had been plaguing me for several weeks, and I had been unable to remove it.  I had probably got it when I was either cutting back roses or transferring the branches to my truck to haul away.  It was, however, firmly planted in a part of my thumb where I was aware of it daily, whenever pressure was applied.  The thing of it, though—the recovery mechanism of my body had healed over it, and it wasn’t even visible.  Felt, but unseen.

grievance:  something which causes grief; a wrong or hardship suffered, which is the ground of a complaint

Unresolved grievances are like thorns, slivers, stickers hidden within our beings.  They can’t be seen by looking at a person, as they are covered up, buried, invisible to the eye; however,  slight contact, a bit of pressure, and a reaction comes forth.  “Where did that come from?” an observer may wonder.

There are two categories of grievances:  those wrongs which are perceived and those which are valid. 

Perceived wrongs are exactly that—personal injury or hurt based on my perception, how I saw a situation or experience, not necessarily reality.  For example, the "rude" clerk or waitress who was abrupt, but had just received news of a terminal illness in her family; the vehicle which just cut traffic off, the driver going at breakneck speed, on his way to the emergency room.  None of these are personal. 

Those which are valid are exactly that—personal injury, damage, or hurt, physical or otherwise, at the hand of another.

But it does not matter a whit which of those we carry within.  Valid or perceived, if they are not dealt with, they fester and grow.

I daresay we have all had personal grievances we have carried, some for a lifetime.  They begin early in infancy, a baby expressing protest over the fact of being placed in bed against its will.  “It’s not fair,” is an often-heard outcry in a family, whether it’s due to a sibling being given favored treatment or being told “No.” 

Fast forward to adulthood, and things really don’t change.  Labor unions and employers have a detailed, intricate system to deal with issues of wrongdoing.  Business relationships, marriages, friendships--someone is always being hurt, or so it seems. 

In comparing one’s life with another, inequality in treatment, one's lot in life, is often an unspoken assessment. 

Have you heard the comment, “I may forgive, but I don’t forget?”  This is what I’m talking about--grievances which are held against another, be it a family member, a friend, employer, the government, a spouse, minister—the list is endless.  They stack up within, tainting one’s life.

There is another point to this discussion, though, and it is that of holding a grievance against God.  I maintain the crux of what we deem as personal is, in truth, directed toward Him.  It is not always an easy truth to see, and it means digging deep, but mankind is very angry with Him over the state of the world and everything in it.  "Why????" is the outcry. "Why is there so much hardship, tragedy, loss, poverty, war?"  There is a lack of understanding, and it becomes personal and  blame is cast on Him, not to be forgiven nor forgotten. 

How does one deal with grievance and experience healing, living free of the venom it produces and creates within a person?  How is one even aware?  Seek truth, seek light, seek life.  In that and that alone can healing take place and freedom be found. 

My thumb is healed.  I’m always pleasantly surprised at the difference removal of a finite object makes.  The same goes for the inner.