GRUDGES HURT YOU

It is common knowledge that life is unfair and full of trouble. Many people carry loads that are heavy, but invisible. By carrying our concerns, worries, angers or grudges from the previous day into today, we will have an ever-heavier load to carry. These invisible heavy loads are thoughts that burden us with anxiety, fear and concern. Sooner or later someone will do or say something that upsets you to the point that you cannot forget the incident. That is how a grudge develops. There could be thoughts of revenge and records of hurts we may have suffered. These inner loads are heavy only to you. The old saying is true "It does not take a very big person to carry a grudge.” But the one carrying it may find their life changed and the joy they could have had curtailed. Obviously, There are some parts of the load that we must bear, but things like grudges, anger or attempts to retaliate are ones that we do not need. Drop them, and your load will be lighter.

"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil" (Psalms 37:8)

Anger and worry (fretting) are two very destructive emotions. They reveal a lack of faith that God loves us and is in control. Most of that harm impacts the one carrying the load, but all those associated with him are affected. We should not worry; instead we should trust in God, giving ourselves to Him for His use and safekeeping.

Nursing a grudge does not make it better, and the longer we carry it, the more of a problem it becomes. Grudges simply do not belong in one who strives to have a good attitude toward life and eternity.

Paul wrote " 'In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." (Ephesians 4:26)

The Bible doesn't tell us that we shouldn't feel angry, but it points out that it is important to handle our angry properly. If vented thoughtlessly, anger can hurt others and destroy relationships. If bottled up inside, it can cause us to become bitter and destroy us from within. If we nurse our anger, we will give evil an opportunity to divide us.

We cannot always resolve the cause of anger or a grudge, but we can “put it on the shelf” by leaving it with God. We can meditate on the grudge and learn how much we hurt ourselves by feeding it. We can take steps to resolve that which we perceive as a hurt done to us and we can simply avoid the person that brings these strong feelings up in us. Most important is the need to face and handle the grudge—don’t let it grow. Take action.