Our lesson in Sunday School this past week was about biblical David, before he was King David. The stories showed how he was disrespected, insulted, falsely accused, and even hunted to be killed by then King Saul. But in all of it, David did not retaliate. Often he had the advantage and could have lashed out with finalizing fierceness to end the evil treatment. But he did not. He forgave. He absorbed the threats and insults and returned patience and respect.
This story of David is a type, a foretelling of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus also received poor treatment, insults, misunderstanding, and rejection. Pain flowed to him, but he absorbed it and dissipated it, rather than redirecting it back out at someone else. It was not fair, but that was not the point. The point was to live by true principles and bring only good into the world.
I urge you to follow the example of our Savior when you feel insulted, disrespected, or accused falsely. Absorb it, let it go. Do not repackage and return it to someone else. Practice this with your spouse. Be patient and give them the benefit of a doubt. You will heal the situation. Yes you will hurt, but let it end there. Turn to God to dissipate your pain. Let it go.
If you practice this, the good things of this life, and the next, will flow unto you "without compulsory means... forever and ever." (DC 121:46).
Forgiveness is the essential Christian principle, but the hardest for Christians to actually live. Make it a priority.
Bishop Merrill
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