Mind Meld of A Different Kind

Proverbs 27:3
A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,

but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.

Buckets of Rocks

We purchased a new home recently with a cistern in the basement. The wall of the cistern was approximately 12 inches thick and 48 inches tall. Behind the wall was 6 feet of good storage that was inaccessible except by a stepladder. One of the first projects I started was the demolition of the cistern wall. Breaking apart the concrete with a sledgehammer was tough work. Carrying the rocks and debris out of the basement in 5 gallon pails was heavy.

It took two days of exhaustive work to complete the demolition. I was tired both days. Weariness from hard work feels good; weariness from carrying emotional debris feels terrible. Emotional pain caused by resentment is just as heavy as the rocks in the cistern wall, but at the end of the day, you have accomplished nothing positive.

If I asked someone to hold a pail of rocks for a day, they would laugh at the ridiculous notion. If I ask someone to set down the rocks of the resentment they are holding, I get the same response. We seem to think holding onto resentment will make us feel better in the future. Some day we will have the chance to get even, so we hold onto our grudges and resentment until that day comes. In the meantime we ruin many a good day, only to realize when we do have the chance to get even; we do not feel any better inside. The pain is still there.

Proverbs points out the absurdity of holding rocks all day, be they literal or emotional. Setting our rocks down brings release and freedom from a heavy burden. What are you holding today? What am I holding?

God who liberated those in oppression and bondage, I pray you would help me to set down the emotional rocks I am carrying and experience the freedom that comes in Jesus Christ. – Dan Jones