Growing Up and Growing Old

“A man who has a strong mind can bear to be insulted and only resents the wrong when a sense of right demands his action. The weak mind is irritated at a little; the strong mind bears it like a rock that doesn’t move though a thousand breakers dash upon it and cast their pitiful malice in spray upon its summit.” – C.H. Spurgeon

For many years, I have told people that I have thick skin for three reasons. First, I am from New Jersey (say no more). Second, while a resident of the Garden State, I ran for the U.S. House of Representatives – not once, but twice – as a conservative Republican in one of the most Democratic districts in the country. Third, I have been involved in prison ministry for 35 years and now work with at-risk, mostly minority youth.

But guess what? Despite my resume and other life experiences, I am actually as thin-skinned as they come, and my feelings get hurt far too easily. In other words, that Mr. Tough Guy exterior is exactly that, a mere façade.

I wish I could always let bygones be bygones, but I am still a work in progress. Thankfully, the passage of years has made me a bit more philosophical about certain things and I no longer harbor as many grudges as I once did. The bottom line is that life is way too short to harbor ill feelings that only hurt – and keep prisoner – the person harboring them.

Hopefully, that newly adopted attitude means that I am finally growing up a little or, better yet, becoming a smidgen more Christlike. One can only hope… and pray… and keep on trying.

How about you, my friend? Do you want to mature – and grow thicker skin – along with me? It’s time for the Old Tough Guy to give way to the New Nice Guy.

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7 (BSB)

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President