The Mercy that Changes Everything
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“The strong one is not the one who overcomes others by force, but the one who controls themselves when angry.” — Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Sahih al-Bukhari
There’s a story in the Islamic tradition with a lesson for all of us today.
Each day, a woman would wait for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to walk past her home, and every day, as he passed, she would throw garbage on him. It was not a one-time incident—it was routine. He never responded with anger. He never retaliated. He simply continued on his way.
Then one day, something changed. There was no trash. No shouting. Just silence.
Noticing her absence, the Prophet asked after her. He discovered she was ill, too sick to leave her bed. So he went to her home, not to rebuke her, but to check on her. To offer care. To see if she needed anything.
She was astonished by his kindness. Her heart softened. According to tradition, that simple act of mercy began a transformation in her life.
The story has become part of the moral imagination of millions. It’s not just about kindness. It’s about the strength to interrupt cycles of harm. It’s about choosing a path of compassion even when justified in doing otherwise.
It’s also a cautionary tale for us now.
We are a culture trained to retaliate. We speak of strength in terms of dominance. Our leaders win by demeaning, not by dignifying. Our politics rewards cruelty, and our media monetizes outrage.
But this story offers a different vision of power, one that’s deeply spiritual, relational, and subversive. The Prophet’s restraint wasn’t weakness. It was moral clarity. It came from a place of profound spiritual integrity and a commitment to a justice that does not require vengeance.
This kind of mercy is not passive. It is active, deliberate, and fiercely humane. It invites us to ask:
What might change if we met hostility with humanity?
What healing could begin if we refused to answer harm with more harm?
What strength would we discover if we allowed love to interrupt the cycle?
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
When have I responded to offense with grace instead of retaliation? What changed as a result?
What patterns of anger, resentment, or vengeance am I being called to break?
How might I embody mercy, not as avoidance, but as power rightly ordered?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer For Strength That Heals
Merciful One, When we are wronged, help us not to become what we hate. When anger burns, give us the strength to pause. When fear rises, grant us the courage to love. Teach us the mercy that changes hearts, Not by overpowering them, But by seeing them—fully, compassionately, honestly. Make us bold in kindness, Steady in restraint, And wise enough to remember That true power is never domination, But care. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
A Mercy Practice
Today, notice one moment when you feel provoked—online, in conversation, or within yourself. Instead of reacting immediately, pause. Breathe.
Ask: What would mercy look like here?
Then: act from that place.
It may be silence. It may be curiosity. It may be a gentle truth or a compassionate boundary. Whatever it is, let it rise not from fear or fury, but from freedom. Let that moment become your small offering of peace.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
TONIGHT! November 13, 20 2025, 7pm ET - In Search of a New Story: Reimagining What Comes Next, A 4-Part Online Series with Dr. Matthew Fox, Cameron Trimble, Ilia Delio, Diana Butler Bass, Caroline Myss and Luther Smith. We are living through the unraveling of many old stories—about who we are, why we’re here, and how we are meant to live together on this Earth. As these inherited narratives collapse under the weight of climate crisis, social fragmentation, and spiritual disconnection, the question becomes clear: What story will guide us now? REGISTER HERE!
July 19-24, 2026 - Join me and amazing co-facilitator, Victoria, on retreat in the back-country of beautiful Wyoming. The Art of Wilding is a 5-Day Expedition for Women Leaders. We will spend the week reconnecting to nature, exploring our inner landscapes for change, and engage the wisdom of spiritual teachings. Click here to learn more.
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
If you are a leader or member of a congregation looking for consulting support in visioning, planning, hiring or staffing, please consider Convergence.