Sermon Illustrations

"GRUDGITIS" ... KILLER DISEASE

"Fret not thyself because of evildoers..." (Psalm 37:1).

A grizzly bear lumbered into a clearing where garbage had been dumped. Tourists noticed that there was only one animal the grizzly would permit to eat with him - a skunk. Doubtless he resented the skunk's brazen impudence. He could have easily won a fight with the two-tone intruder. But he didn't. Why? Because he knew the high cost of getting even.

Smart grizzly. Much smarter than the thousands of humans, who spend weary days and sleepless nights brooding over resentments and inventing ways to get even.

Dr. S. I. McMillen says that a disordered emotional life is a frequent cause of ulcerative colitis, toxic goiters, high blood pressure and scores of other diseases. If the truth were revealed thousands of death certificates would record that the victims died of "grudgitis"!

Scoffers have ridiculed the advice of Jesus, "Love your enemies." Impractical. Idealistic. Absurd. Now psychiatrists are recommending it as a panacea for many of man's ills. When the Great Physician said, "Forgive," he prescribed good medicine not only for our souls, but for our bodies, too.

The moment I start hating a man I become his slave. He controls my thoughts. He hounds me wherever I go. So, the Good Book advises, "8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. . . .12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” (Col. 3:8,12).

-- By Joe R. Barnett.

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