Dealing with Painful Eruptions

In today’s first reading, Acts 22:30; 23: 6-11, Paul is brought into court. When he explains his situation—‘My brothers,…I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead”—a dispute erupts. Ever been in a situation where you described what was/is going on for you, or you shared a dream of yours concerning something new and exciting,  and strong emotions exploded? My reaction, in those situations, is one of disbelief that I am not understood, not supported, not affirmed.  I feel hurt, discombobulated, confused. “What’s happened here,”  I wonder. “Where did I go wrong,” I question.  “Why are people reacting so angrily at what I said or did?”  In my hurt, I either flee or fight. It takes me time to come back and discuss the situation calmly and when I do and am able to apologize, then the door is open to move toward reconciliation. My point of view may still not be understood or supported or affirmed but the relationship has changed from antagonism, hostility, and rejection to acceptance.  The possibility of moving to even deeper levels of understanding  and reconciliation now exists.  A significant part of coming to this place of forgiveness includes waiting upon the Lord. Restoring of relationships and asking forgiveness (even though I may not see where I went wrong, so to speak) depends on grace. It happens in God’s time and in God’s place.  “Wait upon the Lord and be saved,” the psalmist tells us. And in Isaiah 30:15, the prophet says to us:  “By waiting and by calm, you shall be saved; in quiet and in trust your strength lies.”