Healing America's Family Tree

Perhaps no event in American history has so scarred our collective soul more than slavery. The seeds of sin, violence, prejudice and hatred remain to this day. But we must not give up.

Hebrews 12:1-4

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

As a Healer I have always been concerned about relationships between Black and White Americans because so much hurt and bitterness between us. The mutual suspicion and recrimination that fill the airwaves is painful to experience. But, as a Christian family therapist, I am not surprised. Scripture is clear about what happens when bitterness is passed down from generation to generation and I see it all the time in families with whom I work.

Hebrews 12:11-15

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.

Prepare for healing by being disciplined or discipled. Strengthen our feeble hands and knees so we can pursue healing. Pursue peace with everyone. Most importantly, make sure we do not come up short in grace or a ROOT of BITTERNESS will spring up and pollute many people.

This is exactly what has happened in the past. In theological terms, sin leads to Guilt and Guilt leads to Justice. Justice means that we must pay the penalty set by the Law. If I speed in a school zone the law may prescribe that I lose my driver's license and the Judge's sentence will carry our that Just Judgment.

The violent history of slavery has left current generations with a heavy load of Sin and Guilt from our ancestors. The men and women who tore families apart, brutalized women and children and made fortunes off of human carnage were Guilty and deserved Justice. Someone needs to pay the penalty.

Every ancient people group, religious sect and political nationality had slavers and slaves. Every single one. The Romans, Greeks, Jews, Africans, Spanish, Portuguese, English, Arabs, Chinese, Japanese, American Indians, etc. Captured, sold and benefited from the forced labor of other humans. As the Bible says: All we like sheep have gone astray. We everyone has turned to our own way.

What must we do to be saved? Without Grace and mercy the root of bitterness will continue to haunt out country, our churches and our relationships.

Anger is a feeling of pain and self protection. It has been given to us for our own good by a loving God whose own anger is well recognized. However, bitterness is a "Settled attitude of revenge and distrust." Only Grace can remove it.


How do we experience Grace in our nation and churches?

How do we get grace to flow?

How can we stop the fruit of bitterness?