‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to Me’, declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you’, says the LORD.’ Zechariah 1:3
Earlier this year, I wrote a post about ‘the hurting’
It was focused on a gentleman I happened to meet in the store one day. He shared some of his challenges that he experienced, and, in the course of sharing, he mentioned challenges he faced at work due to harassment from some people.
In that post, I noted: ‘… not all bullies mature and change – sometimes
they just grow up to become bigger bullies’
I meant what I
said – and still do
And I would never make an excuse for someone’s vicious behavior toward another human being. However, there is always another perspective – even when considering the meanness of people
I am currently in school taking a behavior modification course
And, for some reason, my class assignment this week had me thinking of the hurting - not those who suffer hurt like the gentleman I met but those who do the hurting
I was reading a section of the book Behavior Modification where it notes “behavioral research with nonhuman subjects
demonstrated that aggressive behavior and other emotional responses may occur
when painful stimuli are presented …”1
So what does that mean?
It means when a subject experienced a painful stimuli, that same subject lashed out. Further, the subject lashed out at one who was not responsible for presenting the painful stimuli. Their fury rested on the nearest target they could find.
This process is not unique to nonhuman subjects
It is true of human individuals as well
The first documented act of premeditated murder demonstrates this
Cain and Abel, the first brothers mentioned in the Bible both presented offerings to the LORD. Abel gave the fat portions from the firstborn of his flock and Cain gave an offering as well. And Scripture notes:
‘The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on
Cain and his offering He did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and
his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is
your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if
you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have
you, but you must rule over it.
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the
field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed
him.” Genesis 4:4-8
Our Scripture reference is lengthy today – please accept my apologies. But it is necessary to understand the whole story.
Rejection is a powerful and painful stimuli
Yet we must each own our individual reactions
‘We are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.’ James 1:14-15
Giving birth to death – what a concept
Sin gives life to a life-taking source
Cain allowed his anger to fester, to mushroom and then to drive him to murder his own brother. But, understand, there is nothing to indicate that Abel actually did anything to Cain. So what was Abel guilty of? What was his great sin?
What did Abel do that was deserving of a murder sentence?
He was loved and approved of by the Father – that is all
Amazing isn’t it?
What one small seed of rejection can blossom into when planted and cultivated. The sin of jealousy, bitterness and uncontrolled anger – will make one do the unthinkable. It will cause brother to turn against brother, child against parent, husband against wife – created against the Creator.
What makes me believe that rejection played a role in Cain’s heinous
acts?
When confronted with his sin and forced with facing the consequences
of his action, his first thoughts and comments were this, “My punishment is
more than I can bear … You are driving me from the land and I will be hidden
from Your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.' Genesis 4:13-14
It was not until after he voiced words pointing to his concern
of being separated from the LORD, that he made mention of his physical safety.
Hurt people hurt people
The hurting hurt others - sometimes
We cannot know for certain why Cain killed Abel or what motivated him
We also understand that not all people who have been hurt hurt others
Yet, sin is always crouching at the door – and we must master it
Cain’s sin against his brother was egregious
He killed his brother, caused grief for his parents and hurt the LORD
Yet the LORD – even after all this – still loved Cain
And He made provision for Cain’s protection.
What a mighty, loving and indescribably gracious God we have!
Today – I am praying
I am praying for those who have been hurt by those who are hurting
I am asking God’s hand of protection for those being plotted against
And, I am praying for the hurting who hurt others and themselves
I am praying they would have a genuine encounter with the LORD; one that would take them from feeling hurt and rejected to healed and restored
I am also praying for you.
Have a Blessed
Day!
‘To all who mourn in Israel He will give: beauty
for ashes;
joy instead of mourning; praise instead of
heaviness.’
Isaiah 61:3
1 Miltenberger, R. (2016). Behavior
modification principles and procedures. Cengage Learning.
