No Condemnation Turns Hatred into Sadness

There are two kinds of hatred: Others-centered hatred and self-centered hatred. In both types of hatred we have condemned ourselves and others. The other morning I woke up very sad and I had the following thought: No condemnation turns into sadness. The person who knows they aren't condemned can begin to feel anger, sadness, sorrow, and grief over loss and injustice. These losses and injustices have been imposed on by others and are also self-imposed. Sadness oozes above the surface of resentment, bitterness, and anxiety which are feelings that indicate self-condemnation. It grows stronger and more powerful as we wade through the waters of No Condemnation*.

• It is Jesus putting his hand on your shoulder and you are a prostitute.
• It is Jesus inviting you into community and you never had one.
• It is Jesus putting his hand on you and you are a leper.
• It is Jesus sticking with you for three years and maintaining boundaries you so desire.
• It is Jesus defending you from being stoned by those who condemn you.
• It is Jesus fighting for you and turning tables over and telling people to get out of your house.

When Jesus puts His hand on our shoulder and we feel the warmth of No Condemnation, the years of injustice and loss for both others and ourselves turn from resentment, bitterness, and anxiety into sadness. Sadness is very freeing, very powerful, and in sadness we feel connected to God.

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*Romans 8:1