Something appears to be poisoning me. I walk into his office and shut the door.

"Columbo," I say, as I sit down, "it's very puzzling when someone pushes my buttons, irritating me and I can't shut off the recorder in my mind that plays the situation over and over again. The only difference between what goes on in my mind and a real tape recorder is the real one plays the tape over exactly the same every time. My mind plays it slightly different each time. What if I said this? Or what if I did that instead of what I did do? It feels like I'm being poisoned, Columbo."

The detective with the dirty rain coat and inquisitive mind, asks me, "Why do you want to play that mental tape over and over again? This sounds more like a suicide than a homicide. Here, you better read this." He hands me a piece of paper with some writing on it.

"When you're upset and have grievances," I read, "Jesus Christ recommends that reconciliation be made. Grievances hide the light that can shine in the world. Jesus Christ is available to help you uncover what you have hidden. Why keep the grievance when Christ wants to relieve you of your burdens?"

"I know it is true, Columbo, but how do I let something that's bothering me go? If this recording of what I perceive happened were set to music, in my mind it would be a hit. I mean, I'd personally buy a million copies. Why?"

"Yes, it's very puzzling, isn't it?"

I stop and think. Indeed, since I've accepted Christ, it is as if my true self is shining but I've built a jig-saw puzzle around me that shuts out the light. Each grievance I hold is a puzzle piece that blocks the expression of Jesus dwelling in me. The more grievances I hold, the more pieces of the jig-saw puzzle are blocking Him.

The glue that holds these puzzle pieces in place is manufactured by me. It seems I can't, no, I won't let go of these grievances. They appear to give me something that I want, perhaps even need. But what could I want or need that is better than sharing the light of Jesus Christ?

Take these puzzle pieces, oh Lord, take them. Give me the strength to let them go. Take them and let me NEVER again place a puzzle over Your face, Lord, either in me or in others. Since You have saved me, dear Lord, teach me how to pray that the glory of You, dear Lord, will shine in this carnal world and help me recognize what is true and what is deceptive.

Columbo scratches his head as he thinks through all aspects of the crime scene. He turns to me and says, "Vic, when your buttons are pushed and you get upset, it is good. As long as your buttons can be pushed, a puzzle piece can be dislodged by the Holy Spirit, when we get down on our knees in true submission to Him. Strange as it seems, you should be thankful when someone irritates you. But, I'll get on the case right away."

A few weeks later, Columbo comes to my office and smiles as he pulls his dirty gray rain coat snug over his neck. In a few minutes he reveals that the case has been solved. Before leaving the room, he stops and raises his hand to a thinking position near his eyes and says, "Oh, one more thing.” He looks at me quizzically as he pauses, deep in thought. “No, wait,” he says, lowering his hand. “There isn't anything else, but this: Your carnal self, which was supposed to die has been quite active, controlling your life. When Jesus died for you, He gave you a new life and heart and spirit.” Columbo glanced at me and said, “Come with me.” A part of me got up and walked angrily toward Columbo. He put cuffs on him and ushered my carnal-self out of the building, taking him down to police headquarters for booking. He was eventually found guilty of blaming and judging and is currently serving time, instead of eternity. I have been set free and I am free, indeed. Praise God!

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