Become New with John Ortberg Episode 24 - Two Lists
9 snips
Mar 22, 2021 A spiritual reflection on relational healing that starts with honest surrender. A contrast between pain received and pain inflicted sparks a choice about which list to keep. Stories and cultural references show how keeping score corrodes the self. A surprising invitation to track those you have harmed and make amends is presented as a practical next step.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Keeping Score Makes You The Victim
- Keeping a ledger of people who hurt you consumes you and ultimately harms yourself.
- John Ortberg compares this to Victor McLaughlin's character in The Quiet Man who literally keeps a book of wrongs and becomes the "skeleton at the feast."
The Quiet Man Book Of Wrongs
- John Ortberg tells the anecdote from The Quiet Man about a character who keeps a physical book of people who offended him.
- The character's scorekeeping illustrates how resentful tallying fosters pride and dehumanizes others.
Anger Feels Good But Eats You
- Relishing anger feels satisfying short-term but ultimately consumes the one who ruminates.
- Frederick Buechner is quoted describing anger as a feast where the "skeleton at the feast is you," summarizing the self-destructive payoff.