's MOTD Wed. August 6, 2008

[Guest guest]

DON'T BE ANGRY WITH THE DEAD

Wednesday, 06 August 2008

Theresa is angry. When she was 21 years old, her father began having some serious health problems. He became diabetic, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and an array of other medical problems. And all of his health problems were surely aggravated by the fact that he was very overweight.

For three years, Theresa's father went from doctor to doctor seeking help for his health issues. But in time, he only got worse and one day passed away in a hospital room.A year later, Theresa's mother developed cancer and endured many bouts of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Theresa devoted her life to taking care of her mother until, sadly, her mother also passed away.So by the tender age of 28, Theresa had lost both her parents and because of two such terrible losses in her life, she felt cheated. Why did both her folks have to leave her when they did? When I talked to her, I asked Theresa how long ago it had been since losing both her parents.", it happened eleven years ago and after all these years, I still have not been able to come to terms with losing them."

And even though she lives only five miles away from the cemetery where her parents are buried, Theresa has not gone to visit that cemetery since they both passed away. Not once.

And for all of those eleven years, Theresa has continued to overeat out of anger, as much as anything else. And today, her anger has caused her to weigh over 250 pounds.I told Theresa that she should not be angry with the dead. Because when you're angry with the dead, in their own way, they come back to "haunt you." I told her she needed to take her children and her husband with her to visit the cemetery were her parents were laid to rest. And I told her to take some flowers to lay on both their graves.I reminded Theresa that her parents still loved her, only from Heaven now. I told her that God is the maker and the taker. And you can't mess with Him or His plans.

I told her to pray to her Mom and Dad and to tell them how sorry she was for misguiding her anger. I told her that when she found peace with them, then she would be able to make peace with her eating habits, too.Are you "angry" with someone you loved who has passed away? Then maybe it's time for you to make your peace with them, too.Love,