Grudges

Life is too short to hold grudges. Grudges keep you in the past and hold you back from enjoying the moment that you should be in…which is the present.

Not one person has ever benefitted from holding a grievance against someone. No problem has ever been solved. No healing has been had. Just a lot of hurt. The biggest hurt comes to yourself.

Holding onto anger creates anxiety, depression and stress upon your body. It weakens you immune system and affects your health both physically and mentally. You perpetuate your own suffering.

Oh, and you also effect others around you. Your family. Your friends. Estrangement limits when you socialize and it also makes get-togethers awkward because other people have to plan around YOUR problem. You are alienating your friends and family because you are holding onto something from the past. Not to mention the fact that a person that is angry and bitter isn’t much of a joy to be around.

I believe that when people hold a grudge, it is a way to establish their own identity. “I’m a victim. I was wronged.” Or, “I am right and you are wrong and to prove my point, I am going to make my own self and others suffer because of this.” Good going.

I get it, you got hurt. You were wronged. You were treated unfairly, perhaps betrayed. So you decide to hold a grudge. What good does it do anyone? Exactly.

I encourage you to think about a few things if you are holding a grudge right now. Take a step back and

look at yourself.

What good has come out of this?
How has this impacted my life?
How can I except God to forgive my sins if I don’t forgive the sins of others?
Have I ever tried to see both sides of the situation that caused my feelings?
Have I tried to sincerely reach out and give a heartfelt apology about the situation even though I might not be entirely at fault? Remember that forgiveness is just as much about you as the other person.
Acknowledge your feelings and work through them…and then LET IT GO…even if the feeling is not reciprocated.

When you truly seek the answers to these questions, pray about them and ask God to take those negative feelings away from you. Surrender. Have grace.

Remember, your time on earth is short. Too short to be tainted by the destruction that a grudge can cause.

Jen

The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. Proverbs 14:10

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

Thank you so much for reading today. I hope that I made you smile and think a little bit. Be sure to check out my Podcast on iTunes, Soundcloud and Stitcher —- Jen’s 10 G’s