Did you watch the Al Smith dinner last week? Brutal.
Now many recall Donald Trump’s cruel stabs at Hilary Clinton (and others) at Thursday night's event, but few noticed how Donald Trump began his remarks; Trump began by revealing a wound:
“…And a special hello...[especially to the]...politicians. They’ve had me to their homes...And even called me...a dear, dear friend. But then suddenly, decided when I ran for president as a Republican, that I’ve always been a no-good, rotten, disgusting scoundrel. And they totally forgot about me…” (from transcript, Donald Trump’s remarks, Al Smith Dinner, Thursday, October 20, 2016).
Many believe this rejection and resultant wound, is what keeps driving Trump to keep running for the White House in total disregard of all decency and logic. It's almost as if Trump is shouting: "I'll show you: I am worth something in spite of your disregard." The New York Times believes the impetus of Trump's 'I'll show you" campaign, was Barack Obama's ridicule of Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondent's Dinner -- where Obama publically humiliated every aspect of Trump, from his gaudy taste in decor to the trivial nature of his reality show, 'The Celebrity Apprentice.' http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/13/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign.html?_r=0 The result: Trump left the dinner 'punched out' by the President's 'punch lines' -- wounded -- determined to prove his worth and legitmacy -- after all.
Now please hear me: I have no interest in defending 'The Donald'; note that 'for the record.' But wounds do cut deep -- within each of us -- often fueling ferocious efforts to prove one's worth and legitimacy.
And so what's your wound?
For one, it’s sexual abuse; someone touched you inappropriately and the scar remains. For another, it’s verbal abuse; your Dad meant well, but boy did he tongue lash on more than one occasion. For another, it’s emotional abuse; frankly, you were a good student, but that 6th-grade teacher embarrassed you before the whole class.
God wants us not to deny our wounds; sarcasm and betrayal must be acknowledged. But ultimately God wants us to give our wounds to Him. "Why do you cry out over your wound, [inferring] your pain that has no cure...But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds -- [even though] you are called an outcast...for whom no one cares..." (Jeremiah 30:15;17).
The Bible outlines at least three routes for grasping God's healing. 1) 'Ventilate Your Pain. “In a multitude of counselors,” Proverbs 11:14 notes, “there is safety”; at strategic junctures, talk out your pain, in safe settings, with safe people. 2) Confront The Abuser. We must not “hate [in our heart” – Leviticus 19:17 notes. “Rather] we [must] rebuke [our neighbor – and…avoid]…his guilt”. When hurt, we’re called, whenever possible, to confront the one who did the hurting. 3) Release The Abuser. “Bear with one another,” Colossians 3:13 affirms, “and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another”; at some point, we no longer nurse wounds, we bandage wounds, releasing the injuring party.
And so what's your wound?
For one, it’s sexual abuse; someone touched you inappropriately and the scar remains. For another, it’s verbal abuse; your Dad meant well, but boy did he tongue lash on more than one occasion. For another, it’s emotional abuse; frankly, you were a good student, but that 6th-grade teacher embarrassed you before the whole class.
God wants us not to deny our wounds; sarcasm and betrayal must be acknowledged. But ultimately God wants us to give our wounds to Him. "Why do you cry out over your wound, [inferring] your pain that has no cure...But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds -- [even though] you are called an outcast...for whom no one cares..." (Jeremiah 30:15;17).
The Bible outlines at least three routes for grasping God's healing. 1) 'Ventilate Your Pain. “In a multitude of counselors,” Proverbs 11:14 notes, “there is safety”; at strategic junctures, talk out your pain, in safe settings, with safe people. 2) Confront The Abuser. We must not “hate [in our heart” – Leviticus 19:17 notes. “Rather] we [must] rebuke [our neighbor – and…avoid]…his guilt”. When hurt, we’re called, whenever possible, to confront the one who did the hurting. 3) Release The Abuser. “Bear with one another,” Colossians 3:13 affirms, “and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another”; at some point, we no longer nurse wounds, we bandage wounds, releasing the injuring party.
Bandaging wounds, releasing perpetrators -- is so critical -- for wounds that are nursed, are wounds that fester, and never heal. And so bandage and release - affirming: I can overcome the most brutal betrayal, the most wretched rejection.
Samuel Brengle was an evangelist with the Salvation Army. Once a colleague wrote to Brengle utterly wounded and betrayed; he'd been 'stabbed' deep and there was no recovery. And so Brengle responded: “Dear Troubled Comrade…Please excuse me for breaking in…with this note – but I’m still laughing…laughing at the ridiculous idea [that you’re finished. You’re simply in a battle. You see] when you were…cheered by thousands…the devil…sat down [and] crossed his legs….but now [that you’re wounded, he’s having a field day. But don’t give in. Don’t give in]. [You see] the…battles that decide our destiny…are not [determined] on public platforms, but in [the] lonely hours of the night. [And so press on my friend -- press on] [For you were] ‘born to fight’.
God says a similar thing: you were born to fight! God knows you've been betrayed. God knows you've been rejected. God knows you are deeply wounded. But God's declares -- press on, nevertheless!
And so 'trump Trump.' Don't let your wounds drive you, resulting in a loss of decency and logic. Rather you drive your wounds; ventilate, confront, release.
For "why do you cry out over your wound, [inferring] your pain that has no cure..." (Jeremiah 30:15) God asks. For "...I will restore you to health and heal your wounds -- [even though] you are called an outcast...for whom no one cares..." (Jeremiah 30:15;17, emphasis added).
And so 'trump Trump.' Don't let your wounds drive you, resulting in a loss of decency and logic. Rather you drive your wounds; ventilate, confront, release.
For "why do you cry out over your wound, [inferring] your pain that has no cure..." (Jeremiah 30:15) God asks. For "...I will restore you to health and heal your wounds -- [even though] you are called an outcast...for whom no one cares..." (Jeremiah 30:15;17, emphasis added).
This was a lovely blog poost
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