I live on the edge of the rainforest, every day there's a fight here. A fight for the rainforest's most valuable commodity. Sunlight. Water is in abundant supply but sunlight is almost impossible for seedlings to find. Occasionally a giant tree may fall leaving a brief moment for the most aggressive to dominate but it's a tough fight on the forest floor. One fig wins the battle in a most underhanded way. When a bird or lizard eats fruit from the Strangler Fig some of the seeds get deposited in crevices at the top of huge trees, giving them direct access to sunlight. Over a long period of time the fig sends down fine roots. When they reach the ground the plant kicks into a growth spurt, sending down additional roots and growing leaves. The root network encircles the tree above and below ground, strangling its roots and trunk. The host tree eventually rots out from the fig leaving a twisted hollow reminder of the tree on the inside.

As we journey through life there are seeds of thoughts which are dropped in our minds. Some of those thoughts are aggressive, bitter thoughts. They often stem from real offenses, and may be justifiable. If left unattended, like the Strangler Fig, they overtake and begin to strangle us, cutting off who we used to be. Crippling our lives with bitterness and pain, leaving a hollow, distorted image of who we once were.

Forgiveness gently removes those seeds and their roots. It's not about the perpetrator, it's ultimately about us. Forgiveness returns us to who we truly are. Removing bitterness can be hard work, there's something sickly attractive about it. It just feels good to nurse. Forgiveness is not about saying that what was done was OK, it's about letting love win. Bitterness is like drinking poison waiting for your enemy to die. Put the cup down and begin by simply saying the words "I forgive" If you're faithful to press in, real forgiveness will come and you'll return to the authentic you, nothing could be sweeter.

Some offenses are very graphic, if you find it hard, locate someone who can help walk you through the process.

Thanks to Pastor Greg for the fig tree example.

Isolating Trouble

From the beginning of time man has been discovering and isolating elements and chemicals. 6000 years ago man discovered how to extract iron, in 1933 Walter Haworth isolated Vitamin C. When these essential components were in their natural environment their properties were much harder to interpret. Once isolated they became much easier to interact with and understand but these discoveries do not come easily, the journey to isolate Vitamin C took over 25 years.

In a similar way, we are complex beings, an intricate weaving of upbringing,experience and environment. There are many interactions happening inside us, some good, some not. A particular reaction to an event may have a single source but like iron or Vitamin C in their original environment, that source is difficult to see when mixed with all our other thoughts and emotions. If one is brave enough, it's incredibly valuable to take the time to sort through the myriad of internal interactions and get to the core thought. Isolating this thought may take significant time and effort but once isolated it becomes much easier to understand. At this point both the thought's effect and origin can be determined. If the effect is determined one is able to identify the feelings associated with that thought. Being aware of the thought and it's feelings become an early warning system that allows one to avoid the thought before it takes us over. Understanding the origin of the thought gives a method to undo the very root of the problem.

So next time your reaction catches you off guard or your behaviour is not becoming, get a trusted friend, sit down, get honest, and dig into the details. Pull each layer of thought apart until you get to the core. You'll simply know when you get there and with that thought isolated you will see a clear way forward.