Holding Grudges

I received an email from Alpha Omega Publications yesterday that had some great thoughts about holding grudges and forgiveness... It's so much easier to see it in our kids than in ourselves, isn't it?

For several days, I had been watching my oldest son and daughter interact. Like a pending thunderstorm, something was definitely brewing between them. The conflict began when my exuberant son ruined his sister's art project by running excitedly through the room. Although the damage was unintentional, my son's less-than-sincere apology awakened a vengeful spirit in my daughter's heart. The conflict culminated the following day when my son again raced through the room and ruined another project of my daughter's. Exasperated, my daughter responded by intentionally destroying her brother's history project.


Forgiving others can be difficult for many people, especially when a close friend or family member has wronged you. Are you the type of person who silently waits for an opportunity to get even or relishes the idea of paybacks? "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:17-19).

God sees the wrongs you experience in life. Jesus suffered the greatest injustices when He was on earth and showed us how to respond to them. "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). Can you commit the injustice you are now facing to the Lord? Will you let go of the grudge you are holding and forgive? "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14).

Lord, I know I should forgive the wrong done to me, but something within me wants to hold on to this pain. I realize that keeping this hurt will only make this situation worse. Help me follow Your example and release this pain by forgiving. In Jesus' name, Amen.