Posted on May 30, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13
Having been a counselor over 25 years, I have heard many horrific, traumatic stories of the evil one human being perpetrated against another human being. Abuse, abandonment, betrayal. Stories I hate to even recall. For the individual that was sinned against, to experience lasting freedom they must ultimately forgive their offender. For many that will require the help of a pastor or counselor. So please hear me, I am NOT minimizing that kind of trauma but it is not the topic of today’s Victory Call.
Today I want to consider “the lesser things.” These lesser things may not even be sins, but they are things that may offend us around which we build up a case against that person and it creates a relational rift or drift. These are subtle things that we may not even be distinctly aware of. For example:
The person has disappointed you or disagreed with you.
The person has failed to keep their word or has hurt you.
The person has gossiped about you or misunderstood you.
The person may simply be different than you – prefer different activities or a different style of music. Their only “offense” may be that they are from a different generation which you don’t quite agree with or understand.
These are subtle, lesser things.
It reminds me of the USS Arizona – still sitting below the surface in Pearl Harbor where it came to rest in December 1941 when the harbor was bombed. The USS Arizona was believed to be holding about 15 million gallons of oil and it burned for 3 days. From that day till now, 76 years later, it has leaked oil into the harbor. At its current rate it is estimated that the remaining 500,000 gallons of oil will slowly leak for about 540 more years! It’s a subtle leak, almost imperceptible, but it still polluting the surrounding water.
I believe the “lesser things” can be like that leaking oil. The “offense” may be like a slow leak almost imperceptible but day in and day out it is polluting the heart.
I chose this verse today because we are called to bear with one another – these lesser things – not allowing them to create a rift or drift in relationship or to prevent us from developing a relationship in the first place.
And further, it says that if there is a complaint we are to forgive as we have been forgiven.
Let us not allow the lesser things to divide or hinder love and unity. It takes some deeper thought because the lesser things may not be readily apparent but none-the-less they can be destructive to our souls.
Is there a slow leak of resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness or unacceptance that is polluting your heart? Perhaps it’s time to forgive the lesser things.
Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.
Think About This: “Learn to commit every situation to God, and trust Him for the outcome. God’s love for you never changes, no matter what problems you face or how unsettled life becomes.” – Billy Graham
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” – Hebrews 2:9
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!