Welcome to this deep dive into the teachings of A Course in Miracles, focusing on Lesson 78: Let Miracles Replace All Grievances. This lesson calls us to confront the binary between grievances and miracles, encouraging a shift in mindset that can transform how we perceive conflicts and challenges in our lives.
Understanding Lesson 78
The lesson begins with a profound insight: each decision we make is a choice between holding a grievance or embracing a miracle. Grievances are described as dark shields that hide the miracles waiting to be revealed. By choosing miracles over grievances, we begin to reorient our minds from negativity to positivity, training ourselves to see light instead of darkness.
The lesson urges us to consider someone we hold grievances against and use this as an exercise in transformation. It's about acknowledging these grievances, then visualizing the light within that person, helping us cultivate forgiveness and empathy. Just like in a marriage between two people, one of the most intimate human relationships, it could relieve tension to try to see a spouse as God sees them during difficult times. This perspective aligns with the lesson’s call to look beyond grievances and recognize the divine light in others.
Avoiding the Martyr Complex
I would like to highlight the danger of misunderstanding this lesson as a call to reconcile physically with those who have wronged us. Instead, it's about achieving a non-dual awareness—acknowledging grievances without letting them dictate our actions. This understanding helps avoid the trap of martyrdom, where one may feel compelled to suffer as a means of demonstrating righteousness or forgiveness.
Headlines as Lessons
Let’s take a look at some current headlines to explore how Lesson 78 applies not just personally, but collectively:
Diddy + Cassie Trial: These high-profile cases involve serious allegations and longstanding emotional trauma. Rather than taking sides or feeding into media outrage, A Course in Miracles invites us to observe without judgment and pray for healing for all involved. We are not asked to excuse or deny harm but to see beyond it to the potential for transformation and divine justice. The grievance lies in public condemnation; the miracle lies in holding space for true healing — even when it seems impossible.
New Pope: Leo: With the installment of Pope Leo, many are wondering whether the Church will shift in a more compassionate or more rigid direction. This is a moment to set aside grievances from past disappointments with organized religion and hold a miracle-minded space for renewal, unity, and service to humanity. The invitation is to pray not for outcomes we prefer, but for love and wisdom to guide leadership on a global spiritual stage.
Tom Cruise: Mission Impossible Final Movie: As the franchise ends, some grieve the closing of an era. But there’s a symbolic message here too: even relentless action heroes must complete their missions. This mirrors our own internal journeys. We often believe our tasks are "impossible" — especially when asked to forgive or release old hurts. Yet Lesson 78 reminds us that miracles are possible, especially when we surrender our control and trust in divine timing.
Each of these stories gives us an opportunity to practice. Are we judging, dismissing, or fueling conflict — or are we willing to pause, reflect, and ask, “What is the miracle here I’m not seeing yet?”
Application in Daily Life
The lesson’s practical application is straightforward yet profound. It encourages us to write down our grievances towards someone we struggle with and transform those feelings into opportunities for miracles. This journaling exercise is private, meant for personal growth rather than confrontation.
The call to action here emphasizes the power of consistent practice in acknowledging and transforming grievances. By saying to ourselves, "Let miracles replace all grievances," we make space for miracles to manifest in our lives, unblocked by the negativity that grievances breed.
The essence of Lesson 78 is about choosing light over darkness, miracles over grievances, and finding peace within ourselves that can transcend personal and collective challenges. By applying these teachings daily, we can foster a mindset that embraces divine love and compassion, transforming how we interact with the world around us.
We invite you to engage with this lesson actively, taking inventory of your grievances and committing to a mindset of miracles. In doing so, you open the door to a more harmonious and connected existence.
