By:
Beb Piedad-Pedrajas
The nation was shocked with dismay and the Chinese community especially in Hong Kong and in the mainland China staged up their sympathy and anger of the hostage drama last August 22, 2010, which killed eight of their fellows and least noble, the hostage-taker himself. The incident gain worldwide criticism and shame among our highest officials the way they handled the bloody hostage taking.
The question is, “Whom to point our fingers for such a horrific incident?” Many will say, “The unprofessional, untrained authorities.” Undeniably, of course, the hostage-taker. What trigger SPO3 Reynaldo Mendoza to commit such a great blunder? The report says that he was dismissed from the service due to robbery-extortion of a young chef. By acting unbecomingly, he is like throwing his seventeen hard-earned awards to the swine and jeopardizing his retirement benefits. When he appealed to the Ombudsman hoping for reinstatement, the seeming, usad-pagong na hustisya, added-up the burden of grief and weariness and the embittered spirit sprang up. So Mr. Mendoza resorted to hostage-taking that ended up in one of the gruesome and bloody carnage in Philippine history.
In our personal level what is the lesson that we could glean out of this tragedy? For me it is more on the issue of the heart of man. In one way or another, each one may experience frustration that leads to bitterness. How to handle it is very crucial since bitterness in spirit will destroy ones character and outlook in life as well as our relationship with other people around us. The Holy Bible says,
“My heart was embittered and I was pierced within”-Psalm 73:21.
There are three things that we need to know about bitterness.
The first thing that we need to know about bitterness is its root cause. Unfavorable situation or the feeling of unfairness in the school or in the working place might bring us to gloom and downcast. The other one is imbalance comparison. We live in this world full of imperfections; I might look uglier than my seatmate, or look clumsy, weak and skinny compare to the guy next to you. This feeling contribute oneself in building mountain out of an anthill. Sometimes an unrewarded good deed might embitter us. Normally, we like to be appreciated but there is a time that our good deeds are thickly veiled and hidden in the sight of others. This scenario might build up a spirit of “sour-grape” attitude in us.
The second thing that we need to know about bitterness is its revealed clues. In the biblical account of the first murder, God asked Cain, “Why are you angry” and why are your countenance fallen?” (Genesis 4:1-8). Cain could not able to conceal his displeasure and it was evident on his face the anger toward his brother. In the same manner, we cannot hide bitterness within or else another sin will creep in, that is, the sin of hypocrisy. Some clues are social isolation, you keep yourself away from people and become aloof. On the other hand, social insulation, that is, you will tend to resist like for example your best friends to ask personal and straightforward questions that can pinpoint your problem and possibly help alleviate your pain. Easily provoke and the use of sharp, unpleasant words.
The third thing that we need to know about bitterness is its real cure. The best thing to do is to diagnose and define clearly the problem. What is the root cause? A well-defined problem is a half-resolved problem. Do you feel embittered to someone of something? Did somebody treat you unfairly? The Bible clearly prescribes a wonder drug on bitterness-forgiveness. Apostle Paul exhorted the Christians, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”(Ephesians 4:31, 32).In reality it is hard to forgive unless we are convinced that we are also sinners and need of forgiveness through repentance in the name of Christ. “Forgive to forget,” as the saying goes but we forget to forgive, that is why we personally inflict suffering on ourselves. If circumstances are not favorable, bear in mind that God is good all the times and continue to entrust your self to His divine care. A certain Christian theologian says, “God is too wise to be mistaken; God is too good to be unkind; if you cannot understand, if you cannot see His hand, just trust His heart,” for God is ever faithful and He is in control of everything and He is a divine plan out of the chaos you have been through. Then, just continue to do good all the times. Somebody commented, “The problem with our fellowmen today is that, the good citizens stop doing good, while the bad citizens getting bad to worst.”
Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as its springs up it causes deep trouble hurting many in their spiritual lives.(Hebrews 12:15). The moment we look on people with disgust of what they have done to us and on the hardship that we get through and when we begin to compare ourselves with others of social ranks, of those who are belong to the well-to-dos and of those who are Adonis in physique, then self-pity and bitterness might creep-in. We start to question God’s goodness and fairness in His creation. Remember, God is good and He is in control of everything no matter what. (Psalms 37, 73). Do not look on people and the plight of your life. If you look backward, there are bad memories; if you look around, there are injustices that might discourage you; looking forward, there will be uncertainties and a gloomy future ahead that might plunge you to anxiety. But just fixed your trust in Christ for He will surely and securely carry you through from a bitter to a better and blessed life. (Hebrew 12:2).
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