eFax of Life from CBMC Heartland
Hurt People Hurt Others
My son and I were with a group of men snow skiing at Steamboat. As we were finishing the day with a meal in a café/bar – a couple of the men saw a pool table and decided to play a quick game before our food came.
The leader of our group – a real ‘man’s man’ – asked my son to join them. When they finished – my son had won.
Later – when no one else was around – I asked: “Adam, how did you win? I didn’t know you played pool.”
His reply: “I haven’t played much – but it’s just a game of physics.”
Wow! If I want to know why a pool ball goes in a certain way – all I have to do is look at the forces that have worked on it.
And, if I want to know why people do what they do – the same principle applies. The sexual abuser was probably abused. The anger-spewing person probably came from an environment of anger. Simply stated: ‘Hurt people – hurt people.’ People that have been hurt probably will pass the pain on to others.
Pretty bleak outlook – given the history of man. From the Ten Commandments, God says, “…I, the Lord your God, am very possessive. I will not share your affection with any other god! And when I punish people for their sins, the punishment continues upon the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of those who hate me.” (Exodus 20:5)
As I was going through depression – I’m so thankful for the Aunt that called and told me of the history of depression in our family.
As I’ve dealt with deep personal anger – I’ve been able to look back into my family and see a history of anger.
So am I a victim? Am I stuck with two eyes, two arms, one nose, a pattern of anger and depression? Am I a slave to my generational inheritance?
Absolutely NOT!
“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons, and because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our heart, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Gal. 4:4-7)
That pool ball is a slave to the forces that have influenced it. But, you and I get to make a choice. Life is 10% what happens to us – and 90% how we choose to respond.
I’m not a slave to my past – in fact: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17)
Understanding the concept of generational influence doesn’t excuse my predecessors – but, it does help me understand their behavior. And, it also helps me see my downward-spiraling future – unless I allow Christ to enter and control my life.
How can we do that? Attending a Bible-believing/Bible-teaching church helps. Prayer helps. Listening to Christian radio helps. But the actions that help most are reading and obeying God’s Word.
Don’t be a reactive pool ball. Proactively respond to God. Remember the ‘bad news’ from verse 5 of the Ten Commandments? Verse 6 has Good News! “But I lavish My love upon thousands of those who love Me and obey My commandments.”
CBMC Heartland, 11/08/02
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