I used to be a pretty angry person. My dad told me a long time ago that when you stay mad and hold grudges, you're really only hurting yourself. Well of course when I was younger I thought that was just plain stupid. how is it hurting ME?! I didn't do anything wrong! Well, It took me years to finally figure out what he was talking about.
When you hold grudges against people and don't forgive, you dwell and when you dwell you just get more angry at how you can't let it go and then it starts the whole cycle over again, and then you end up projecting your anger and mistrust on other people who may not have ever done anything to hurt you, then you end up blaming them for why y'all couldn't be friends and then the whole huge stupid cycle begins again.
Forgiveness is not for the weak. Sometimes we have to really sit down an evaluate why we are withholding our forgiveness. This is not always an easy task. It's hard to turn the microscope on oneself and say, "hey what's wrong with you!?" but it is ALWAYS a learning experience when you are able to.
Forgiveness doesn't make what someone did to you all right. It doesn't take away the hurt, and it doesn't make them a better person. But it does make YOU a better person. I have found that when I forgive someone it flips a switch inside of me, and I can feel the tension rise up off of me, like a weight off of my heart. It is a true testament to one's character who can truly be forgiving.
2 comments:
Love it. I've heard that holding grudges is like holding onto hot coals and expecting the other person to get burned. Forgiveness is often easier said than done, but with His help I know we can forgive all. :)
OOOOH, I like that! I have never heard that before but it is so true! You are so wise sweet friend! :-)
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