Article November 18, 1991 Issue

Ending private wars

Hatred inevitably brings division and conflict. Divine Love brings peace and harmony, as well as a change of heart.

Thomas Richard Mitchinson

We had been good friends for about a year. So when he was to give an important talk, I looked forward to hearing him speak. But as he was being introduced, I suddenly felt very inadequate. As his list of accomplishments was being read, I began wondering if I had done anything of significance in my life. I became very sad, despondent, and panicky. It was difficult to sit through my friend's talk. By the time he finished, I hated myself and felt as though I hated him as well.

These feelings were totally unjustified. My friend was being as kind to me as ever; but for the next two months, I waged my own private war of resentment and jealousy against him. One night after I had spoken rather rudely on the telephone to him, he said, "I just want you to know that you're loved." As I hung up the phone, all I could think of was, "I just want you to know that you're hated."

At that moment I realized that this hostility was a mental poison that needed to be removed. It was destroying a great friendship, and it was causing me much mental anguish. So I prayed.

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