If you don’t want to be convicted, I suggest you not read further. I have been thinking so much on this topic since yesterday and cannot get it out of my mind.

This was the topic of our sermon on Sunday morning. Not just forgiving, but loving your enemies. It is so true how we seem to either hold on to grudges or live in the past with bitterness and anger in our lives.

Ephesians 4:31-32 says “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

How often we ignore the verse before (30) that says “Grieve not the Holy Spirit.” The minister talked about the Spirit being a dove and when we have bitterness or any of the other negative feelings, the dove goes away. Then we wonder why our prayers are never answered.

It is so hard to let go of old hurts (from a spouse, a parent, a boss, etc) and we think we deserve for them to be judged or that because we were hurt, we can continue to act the way we are because we were hurt. NOT SO! Do you think Jesus holds a grudge because of the way he was treated?

I have to say that this is one of my “pet peeves” and it is hard for me to understand why people can’t let go and forgive. But who am I to judge?

What if I never forgave my parents for their shortcomings? I wouldn’t have the relationship that I do with them today where I can talk freely about my feelings.

What if I never forgave an old roommate who never paid me for rent and utilities after moving out, leaving me with the need to borrow money from family? I would never be able to move on and have other roommates that I now consider dear friends.

What if I never forgave my husband for not thinking of me often enough? Then I would miss out on the blessing when he goes out of his way to show me that he loves me.

R.T. Kendall (our guest speaker at our church yesterday) was funny and yet inspiring as he shared his own experiences of unforgiveness.