Grrrrrudge!

Grudge is an ugly word.

It starts with "Grrr. . ." and ends with ". . .udge." That doesn't sound pretty at all.

When we carry grudges against other people, the weight becomes almost unbearable. Resentment is a heavy burden to bear. Our souls weren't made to carry that kind of heaviness.

Momma used to say unforgiveness is like "drinking poison and hoping that the other person will die."

We do more harm to ourselves than anybody else when we refuse to let it go.

A physician friend once told me that resentment is at the root of many of the physical ailments he sees: tension headaches, ulcers, high blood pressure. Dis-ease of the spirit leads to disease of the body.

If someone offends you, there are really only two options:
A. forgive and let it go or
B. hold onto it and be bitter.

A heart wound will never get better by being bitter. Bitterness just rubs salt into it.

It's always best to let it go.

Jesus understood this well, and that is why he spoke so often about forgiving others, and modeled it so beautifully, even when dying on a cross. "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

We all get ego dings from time to time. People say and do things that are hurtful and wrong. We do not have to allow them to rob our peace and joy. Our response is our own decision.

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."