The Remedy for CCS (Clanging Cymbal Syndrome)

Eric, a God-loving, prospering business owner and family man, decided to invest his time in a young man, David, single and young in his faith.  Eric faithfully met with David, teaching Him truths from God’s Word. Eventually, he hired David to join his business team. David seemed to be maturing in his faith and was learning valuable business skills. Sharing many hours of life together on the road, Eric and David grew to become good, close friends.

Business developments expanded and that’s when David and Eric’s friendship was soiled. David began lying about Eric, making accusations against him among co-workers. The last thread of their friendship broke when David emptied Eric’s business bank account. He stole nearly $40,000.   

At first Eric struggled to forgive David, but soon thereafter, Eric declared to his own satisfaction that he had forgiven David of lying and stealing. He released him. Whenever David’s name came up in public, Eric spoke forgiveness about him. When Eric encountered David shortly after the incident, Eric acted cordial.

Two years later, this grievous incident pried the lid off Eric’s heart, exposing a level of unforgiveness he hadn’t realized. During Eric’s prayer time he “heard” the words, “clanging symbol.”  “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal,” 1 Corinthians 13:1.

Eric, well-versed in the Bible, knew its meaning. If we speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy, without love in our hearts for others it’s only a “noisy” show.  

For months Eric pondered that word, even asking his spiritual friends to help him make sense of how it may apply to his life. Then when Eric least expected it, the pure light of God’s goodness shined forth understanding.

At a lunch business meeting David unexpectedly showed up. He approached Eric, and they shook hands. At that moment, Eric felt repulsed by David. The thought, “I wish he’d leave, I wish he’d leave,” continued. And then Eric heard again, “clanging symbol”.  It drove Eric to a transformational encounter with God in the men’s room. Eric wept and wept.

Eric’s heart, which had seemed clean and pure, suddenly looked dirty and tarnished. He confessed the truth to God that he had quit caring about David. Eric’s disregard for David invited apathy to take root in Eric’s heart.

Struck with God’s view of himself, Eric no longer saw himself as a good, righteous man. Eric felt compelled to be restored to David and to God. The next morning, barely out of the shower, he phoned David.

At lunch Eric looked deep into David’s eyes. “I had some terrible, terrible thoughts about you. I was carrying a bad attitude in my heart toward you. I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?” Eric, now a broken man, also blessed David and the restorative power of Christ came. Eric received total healing and cleansing.

Forgiveness is not complete until we let God fashion His love in our heart toward those who have sinned against us. As God has blessed us, extending grace to us through Christ, let’s ask God how we can step out and bless others who have hurt or offended us. Have we actively done good to them; expressed love to them; prayed for them---blessed them? (Luke 6:27-28)

(Names changed)