If anything this time we are living in has shown us, it is that we are people in need of and to show mercy.
In the land of vaccine, no-vaccine, passport-segregation, mask-no mask, social distancing, and work or not to work, if you agree with me or not politically and socially, mercy appears to be in short supply these days in many corners.
Mercy appears to be in short supply these days in many corners.
Forward Friday looks at mercy and we must consider our actions, words during this crazy time. It seems incredible to believe that families, friendships are being decimated because of differences of opinions, thought and there seems to be no give on positions and how there is an expectation to fall into line or else.... We've got to look past the noise and not allow how we feel or what we think destroy relationships because we forgot about having mercy.
It seems like the nerves of so many are frayed, worn out but I also think that we cannot excuse not having mercy because the damage piles up and what is the damage; broken relationships, hurts, slights, broken spirits, mind, isolation and the like.
What is the damage; broken relationships, hurts, slights, broken spirits, mind, isolation and the like.
Just A Couple Of Examples:
I am saddened at many recent posts of acquaintances who write incendiary posts, making it very clear that if one doesn’t like what they’ve got to say, they’ll unfriend without a moment’s notice.
A number of friends who’ve lost friends because their views are not in line with the prevailing culture and these are friends who’ve been friends for years.
People who want to be right in this civil unrest; we seem to be in the shouting down phase (social media wise and even verbally) even to family and friends if they do not agree to the point of almost bully like anger.
The merciful man or woman does good for his/her own soul; but he/she who is cruel troubles their own soul.
Wow!! Maybe that’s why so many in our society right now are more than just upset and particular to whatever they are thinking; there is a cause and effect by-product for showing little or no mercy and that is that our souls will tend to get out of whack.
So today, some simple thoughts about why mercy is good for us and obviously for those we show mercy to.
The word Mercy has deep roots and has much of its foundation in kindness and goodness.
To be cruel, harsh, uncaring, cold, stubborn, unyielding in treating others is far from the roots of mercy so that sooner or later, what we really are shows up.
Maybe this 18 months in some ways has lifted some of the hidden root nature issues a lot of us have had but because we are not in the place we once were which could have meant we could hide those issues, well, not so much now.
Mercy isn’t just limited to forgiveness and pardoning others for wrongs they have committed.
Showing deep kindness and warmth to other people should help us to empathize and really, should be a mirror because if we had a score card for all the things we’ve done, we’d sure want deep kindness and warmth.
Showing deep kindness and warmth to other people should help us to empathize and really, should be a mirror because if we had a score card for all the things we’ve done, we’d sure want deep kindness and warmth.
1. Show Mercy To Others Because God Has Been Merciful To You.
Some may want to argue this point but simply put, when I think of all the dumb things I’ve said and done and that He’s been merciful to me, I need to show mercy even when I don’t agree on things, subjects, ideas etc.
Some get nervous because they don’t want to become a pushover or pin cushion but I say that it takes a stronger person to agree to disagree and still have care for someone than for the merciless one. Anyone can be that; why not go stronger and be merciful?
And if God has been merciful to me, the least I can do is to do the same towards others....Even when I don't agree with something.....
A friend who wasn’t happy with my thoughts about an organization that sells itself one way but really has some fraudulent behaviors. They were calling into question my sense and sensibilities and it was on the cusp of being ruthless.
While a little taken back, I had to accept the fact that if I am talking about mercy, no matter the feelings, I must practice it if not more. For a lot of us, to step back may seem like we are weak but actually never stronger.
For a lot of us, to step back may seem like we are weak but actually never stronger.
There is this great proverb that says: The merciful man or woman does good for his/her own soul; but he/she who is cruel troubles their own soul.
2. Show Mercy To Others Because It Is The Right Thing To Do.
We must consider the realization that to show mercy to others is a right attitude and function, to love being merciful to others can be a game changer in so many ways.
I do not know how many times I’ve decided to show mercy when on the one hand, I had every right to blow or lose it etc. but chose to show mercy. I think sometimes, in the back of my mind, I would get a sudden realization about some of my gaffes, mistakes, errors and how I was shown mercy so I knew the right thing was to show mercy like I was shown.
3. Show Mercy Because We’re Going To Need More Mercy In The Future.
So for we “perfection” folk, we’ll never be perfect and we cannot receive what we cannot give.
There is a poignant story in the Bible about a man who owed in today’s terms millions of dollars.
When it was time to collect, he begged for leniency from the lender. The lender showed mercy to him and he was able to go on his way.
He wasn’t but moments removed from this situation when he came upon a man who owed him in today’s terms, hundreds of dollars.
This man begged for mercy from the same man who was just shown incredible mercy for not paying his millions yet he threw this guy in jail until he could pay the hundreds.
When the lender who was owed the millions heard this unbelievable story of no mercy, he had that guy tossed into prison.
It is a given that we will need mercy at some point so if life is reciprocal, then practicing mercy makes sense because we at some point will need mercy.
4. Show Mercy Because It Can Create A Positive Atmosphere
Showing mercy brings happiness. The more merciful I am, the happier I’m going to be.
Another Proverbs says, “If you want to be happy, be kind to the poor; it is a sin/offence/misdeed to despise anyone.
Being kind to other people actually blesses us and makes us happier in life. And mercy certainly produces greater joy in those to whom we’ve shown it as it should if they choose to receive mercy.
Would I rather live in a world that is harsh or a world where the people around us value mercy?
It is an incredible thought that we get to help shape a world of mercy around us and allow more people to find freedom from their past and/or present when we’re willing to show mercy.
It’s easy to sit behind a computer, tablet, smartphone or just plain using our voice to be merciless but, it is so evident that so many people are hurting and even though I don’t like the axiom (because it tends to give the feeling that because I am, then I can be whatever because of the hurt I am in), the saying is true; “hurt people hurt people”.
“Hurt people hurt people”
Let’s try to be different starting this weekend and maybe if there needs to be some fence mending that goes along with it, go ahead and do it.
We need each other, warts and all, political affiliations, social/medical points of view and all.
Can we all see the value of mercy? It doesn’t mean we don’t have values, opinions, positions that we cannot keep; it means that we are windows and not doors and know that mercy matters.
That we can show mercy and being merciful is powerful.
Sometimes:
We all need to look in the mirror and get a reality check….We just may need mercy at some point..
A healthy dose of mercy is what we need……
Dave
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