Deadly Sins

            I happen to believe that the history of humankind is one of goodness, promise, sunrise, morality, thriftiness, love, faith, hope, redemption and happiness. Plus others.

            I may be in the minority. Many people see our world as evil, immoral, self-seeking and a myriad of other negativisms. For that reason religious leaders have for centuries constructed lists of sins that typify humanity. Men such as Pope Gregory the Great, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas have their lists of the “Seven or eight or ten Deadly Sins.”

            The generally accepted list for today includes: Pride, Envy, Anger, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony and Lust.

            That’s a pretty awesome catalog of sins. Facetiously, I seem to be guilty of all but one.

            For the sake of brevity I suggest my own list of deadly sins. Not as short and earthy as the seven, but just as deadly. In many respects they are socially acceptable and seldom confessed.

            They are not one of the Ten Commandments. They are not found in any of the Christian creedal affirmations: The Apostles Creed, the Korean Creed or the Nicean Creed.

            They are the result of my fifty-five years as a minister and my thirty-five years as a therapist. Simply put they are: SELF-PITY and UNFORGIVENESS.

            Does the name Helen Keller mean anything to you? It should. She is an icon in international history and an American heroine.

            She was born on June 27, 1880 and when twenty months old was stricken with an illness that left her blind and deaf and mute. She was thought at first to be mentally ill. But Anne Sullivan, a teacher, opened up her world to communication. Helen died on June 1, 1965.

            But not before she became an author (of many books), a political activist and lecturer. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

            Self –pity is deadly for the human spirit. Helen Keller had every right to engage in a pity party.

            But she refused. She said, “Self-pity is our worst enemy, and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.”

            One final word from her shortly before her death. “I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work and my God.” Self-pity? Never.

            Last month Spencer West scaled Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. It is the highest mountain in Africa and he did it by using only his hands.

            Why? Because this 31 year old American was born with a spinal disorder that necessitated amputation to both legs below his pelvis. 

            Of this achievement he said, “We all have the ability to redefine what is possible.” ‘Nuff said.

            UNFORGIVENESS is a deadly attitude. Norman Cousins said many years ago that such negative attitudes cause many physical illnesses.

            Harriet Nelson had it right when she said, “Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself.” But it’s easier said than done.

            To forgive a slight, a hurt, a denigration; in fact any kind of an offense (real or imagined) is difficult to forgive. However, Oscar Wilde gave a provocative tongue in cheek. “Always forgive your enemies-nothing annoys them so much.”

            A few years ago I was struggling with personal resentment and unforgivness because of a genuine reason. Then it dawned upon me. I was allowing myself to be the victim twice. First, when I was unfairly abused and second, when I harbored personal resentment.

            Tranquility was slow in coming until I realized the truth of what George Herbert said. “He who cannot forgive destroys the bridge over which he himself must pass.”

Amen. Selah. So be it.

WORDS TO THINK ABOUT
G. W. Abersold Ph.D