"'Come now, let us settle the matter',
says the Lord.
'Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.'"
I by chance came upon this passage from the prophet Isaiah this morning (chapter 1, verse 18, NKJV), and I noticed something that I believe is profound. God does not say that he will remove our sins, but that they will be purified.
As my most recent blog, "Lenten Challenge" shows, I have a new understanding of sin. After having been repelled by its concept for the past month or two, I began to understand it in a new way after contemplation and a conviction, realizing that turning my back on its principles is truly incompatible, and therefore tiring to work around, with my chosen lifestyle.
As my most recent blog, "Lenten Challenge" shows, I have a new understanding of sin. After having been repelled by its concept for the past month or two, I began to understand it in a new way after contemplation and a conviction, realizing that turning my back on its principles is truly incompatible, and therefore tiring to work around, with my chosen lifestyle.
While I still at this time will not use the word "sin" in my vocabulary, I feel happy understanding it in a way where I interpret the world as fallen, but still with the substance of innocence. In choosing to look at weaknesses as opportunities to be strengthened, instead of condemned, I have the compassion for myself and for others that I have been striving for many years to have the capacity to do.
Perhaps in recognizing that degradation can be transformed through first self forgiveness, we can be relieved from this bondage of self that keeps us in a state of darkness, unable to use our gifts and talents, and in so forfeiting love.
Today I know that my challenges are a result of a brokenness, and not necessarily a willingness, and I work to view all sickness in the world this way. Like an addiction where the consequences are not considered, or they are but there is no fight in the afflicted, there is a disassociation. Oftentimes this absence of resistance is what needs to be addressed, instead of what the punishment is to be. I believe that it is important to not mindlessly place blame, but to instead try understanding from a place of compassion, and truly, this is a breakthrough concept.
Because it is not fully my nature to turn the other cheek when personally offended, or to look at society as inherently good and thereby deserving be be supported with love (and therefore is not natural for self-love or self-compassion, either), I pray each day for this virtue, both to be offered to myself, and then for the strength to extend to others. And I have since found that these prayers have truly opened my heart, to the point that I don't even view mob mentality as the way I have for years.
I can see now that so often we make choices based on a fundamental and human need for connection, and not in spite of or intentionally to hurt others, and most certainly not to hurt ourselves. We are simply so desperate to be relieved of our loneliness. In truly comprehending this, which has been revealed to me through contemplation and prayer, my life has begun to shift into a union with God, which can relieve me of all that debilitates me, and instead deliver me to live in self-forgiveness, free from the bondage of hurt, fear, regret, and desire to be reprimanded.
When the attachments that bind me in harmful decision-making become as white as snow, I believe that God is saying not only am I forgiven, but that I am now permitted to view what once condemned me to instead be released into that which I can use for the benefit of myself and others. My shortcomings are not insomuch removed, but rather are transformed from that which deserves consequences, to that which deserves the compassion needed to change, and to be used as a tool for healing.
Today I know that my challenges are a result of a brokenness, and not necessarily a willingness, and I work to view all sickness in the world this way. Like an addiction where the consequences are not considered, or they are but there is no fight in the afflicted, there is a disassociation. Oftentimes this absence of resistance is what needs to be addressed, instead of what the punishment is to be. I believe that it is important to not mindlessly place blame, but to instead try understanding from a place of compassion, and truly, this is a breakthrough concept.
Because it is not fully my nature to turn the other cheek when personally offended, or to look at society as inherently good and thereby deserving be be supported with love (and therefore is not natural for self-love or self-compassion, either), I pray each day for this virtue, both to be offered to myself, and then for the strength to extend to others. And I have since found that these prayers have truly opened my heart, to the point that I don't even view mob mentality as the way I have for years.
I can see now that so often we make choices based on a fundamental and human need for connection, and not in spite of or intentionally to hurt others, and most certainly not to hurt ourselves. We are simply so desperate to be relieved of our loneliness. In truly comprehending this, which has been revealed to me through contemplation and prayer, my life has begun to shift into a union with God, which can relieve me of all that debilitates me, and instead deliver me to live in self-forgiveness, free from the bondage of hurt, fear, regret, and desire to be reprimanded.
When the attachments that bind me in harmful decision-making become as white as snow, I believe that God is saying not only am I forgiven, but that I am now permitted to view what once condemned me to instead be released into that which I can use for the benefit of myself and others. My shortcomings are not insomuch removed, but rather are transformed from that which deserves consequences, to that which deserves the compassion needed to change, and to be used as a tool for healing.
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| More Self Compassion by Kelly Rae Roberts |
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