The Stings

My Irish Setter decided that eating bees was a good thing to do. As we had a swarm of them around our porch, she set to her task with a vengeance. An hour later, her hugely swollen face revealed the evidence of her folly.

Benadryl brought down the swelling, but this was not the end of the story. Ruby began to itch where she had been stung. This, in turn set her to scratching and ripping with her nails at an area on her lower jaw. The more that she scratched and tore, the worse that the situation became, until she had two open wounds, almost an inch long and several tissue layers deep. It took over a month of applying antibiotic cream daily, plus wearing a cone on her head to prevent further scratching, before these self-inflicted wounds healed.

This incident brought to mind how I, too, can rip and tear at myself mentally and emotionally when life stings me by my own mistakes. I say something that I wish I hadn't. I inadvertently drop things. I forget an important occasion. A wrong decision leads to unwanted consequences. My temper frays and flares. However, being angry, impatient, humiliated, fed up with myself, and continually ripping and scratching at myself mentally over these issues do not help my situation, but rather exacerbate it, making it much worse. All these things probably happen to all of us on a regular basis, as we are all human and destined to sin and error.

On the other hand, words of wisdom from the Scriptures, when applied not only to others, but also to ourselves, act as soothing, healing balm to the stings of life that our actions inflict upon us from time to time.

Ephesians 4:2 – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (NIV)

Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (NIV)

Colossians 3:12-13 – Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)

Learning to be gentle, forgiving, kind, patient, and compassionate with ourselves is in fact an act of humility, as it reminds us of our own brokenness and imperfection and our need of a Saviour Who loves us and forgives all of our inadvertent or intentional folly if we just ask.

Thus, let us put aside the sting and itch of negative self-talk and mental abuse when we feel that we have failed, and instead, apply today's words of Scripture to ourselves. By so doing, self-anger, loathing, impatience, and the like will be replaced by the healing touch of God's love, patience, kindness, and forgiveness. Pray with me:

Prayer: Lord God, help me to learn to be patient, kind, forgiving, and gentle toward myself when I feel that I have failed or been imperfect. In Christ's name, I ask, Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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