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MY SUNDAY
JOURNAL
By Dalton Roberts
IPS Feature
10-20-02
TAKING COMFORT IN ONE'S SELF
In my journal one year on this date, I was dealing with a betrayal. I
felt I had given the person every possible chance and was having to
excise them from my life.
I wrote, "I comfort myself with the knowledge that I have been kind
and understanding. That I extended forgiveness. Despite temptations to
become hard, cold and bitter, I have kept my heart gentle."
The greatest comfort that will ever come to us in situations where we
have to lose friends and loved ones is the comfort of keeping the peace
of our own hearts intact. It may be disturbed and shaken, but we can
keep re-centering ourselves through the whole experience with the
thought, "I want to handle this in a way that I will have as few
regrets as possible."
Seldom will be able to have no regrets. Life isn't constructed that way.
In the heat and friction of a split up, we will say and do things that
may not come from the best part of our hearts and souls. We can forgive
ourselves because we know we are not perfect. But the fewer things to
regret, the sooner we are over it.
There is no perfect way to handle breakups. But for your own sake, for
the sake of your future peace of mind, keep your heart as gentle as
possible even when you must be firm and decisive.
Your future peace of mind is on the line.
WALKING WITH THE LORD
In working on a major decision, I took a long solitary stroll and wrote
in my journal, "A solitary stroll can be a definite spiritual
experience."
I am surprised how many times the Bible speaks of "walking with
God," or "walking with the Lord." Since the Lord is the
Friend who sticks closer than a brother," I sometimes walk along
and talk silently with Him.
How does he answer? Yes, in the same way I talk with Him. Quietly, in
the heart.
Remember when he said as he was preparing to leave his disciples that
the Spirit would bring all things He said to our remembrance? And the
Spirit would make Him real to us?
So don't do all the talking. Ask your questions and listen for something
to be made real. Listen for something to be brought to remembrance.
Like our other friends, sometimes He doesn't give a clear and explicit
answer. In those times, He will give a peace, or a confidence. This is
the intimation that the answer will evolve in its own good time.
Just the walk in solitude will bring some peace and clarity. Always
remember that Someone walks with you.
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