Give Yourself Some Mercy

By Royce Frederick

Some people have a talent for making themselves miserable. The very methods they use to gain happiness bring them sorrow.

One way a person can be cruel to himself is by being cruel to others. A cruel person usually thinks his merciless attitude is a way of taking care of his own interests. But Solomon wrote, “The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh” (Prov. 11:17). “Sweet revenge” ends in bitterness. Doctors have shown that hatred can cause physical illness, or make an illness worse. But a merciful, happy attitude can help us enjoy better health in body and soul (Prov. 17:22).

When we are merciful toward others, we help ourselves in another way, too. The one who will judge us in the last day said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7).