p. 9 | Forgetting Injuries by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 3, 1904

Forgetting Injuries

By G. B. Thompson

G. B. THOMPSON

PAUL admonishes us to forget the things which are behind, and press on toward the prize which is before us. Certainly this is wise counsel concerning injuries, either supposed or real, which others may have inflicted upon us. Many have darkened their souls by brooding long over fancied injuries. They have nursed with care some old grievance, and mourned at the same time over their waning spirituality. Precious time which should have been spent in prayer and in labor for lost souls has been employed in imagining that somebody has slighted them, and their worldly, selfish dignity lies in the dust, groveling under the supposed insult. Like a canker, these things have gnawed at the heart-strings of their spiritual life until all the gentle graces of the Holy Spirit have been eradicated from the soul, and they find themselves cold and spiritually dead.

All this unspeakable anguish and sorrow of heart is caused by selfishness. The old man is not dead, but lives and reigns. Suppose some one has done us an injury. It may have been unintentional, and with tears he may have repented before the Lord. And if the insult was intended, the injury is really greater to the one who did it than to the one who received it; for the God who weighs actions will ask some day for an account to be rendered.

Let the thing alone. Forget it, and the wound will heal. Cease talking it over, and reviewing it, for “by beholding we become changed.” A writer gives this sensible advice:—

“A man strikes me with a sword, and inflicts a wound. Suppose, instead of binding up the wound, I am showing it to everybody; and, after it has been

bound up, I am taking off the bandage constantly and examining the depth of the wound, and making it fester; is there a person in the world who would not call me a fool? However, such a fool is he, who, by dwelling upon little injuries or insults, causes them to agitate and influence his mind. How much better were it to put a bandage on the wound, and never look to it again.”

Have you been removing bandages from wounds, and tearing them open afresh to see how deep they are? If so, do so no more, but remember that it is written, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves: but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom. 12:19. It is certain we can not take any hatred, envy, or jealousy to heaven with us when Jesus comes. Every one of these wicked things must be cleaned from the heart, or we shall be lost.