What do you do when events in your life do not turn out the way to thought or hoped they would? How do you react? Do you blame yourself? Do you blame others? Do you blame God? I think I’ve pretty ugh blamed all these when I was struggling in my life. I’ve found if you blame others, you’ll more than likely struggle with a deep sense of guilt, especially if it’s your own fault along with anger, frustration and bitterness towards others and God.
So, how are we supposed to break free from the blame game? How do we keep guilt, anger, frustration and bitterness from consuming us? How do we find joy in the midst of adverse circumstances?
In Luke 5:17-26, we are told about a man whose life clearly didn’t turn out the way he thought or hoped it would. When he started out in life I’m sure he did not plan on being paralyzed and having to depend on others. It’s not a great stretch to think that this man was paralyzed as a result of some accident or illness that happened later in life. He is not described as having a condition as being crippled or lame. It had happened some time after birth.
In the midst of the man’s struggle he hears that Jesus has come to his hometown. He enlists four friends to carry him on his bed to see Jesus-which would be no small feat. Jesus does not heal him, at least not initially. Instead, He says to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you” – Luke 5:20.
I find this fascinating. Besides teaching people that Jesus really does have the power to forgive sins, Jesus was giving this man what he needed most. He knew the this man needed spiritual healing more than physical healing. He needed to experience forgiveness and to be assured that his sins really were forgiven.
Physical healing would only be treating the symptom of a deeper problem. He needed to let go of his anger, frustration, and bitterness. He needed to forgive himself and others for his and their failures. And the only way that could happen was for the man to experience genuine forgiveness himself.
The same is true for you and me. The thing you and I need most of all is spiritual healing. The only way we can begin to heal is to forgive ourselves and others and to let go of the guilt, anger, frustration, and bitterness.
It is the only pathway to true and lasting joy in the midst of all our circumstances.
From Pity to Praise 