Have you ever had a moment when you were driving when another driver did something incredibly rude? Have you ever had a disagreement with a sales clerk that wound up affecting your attitude for the rest of the day? It can happen to the best of us.
Jesus often talked about forgiveness. It was a message to which he returned over and over again. What I’ve learned in my life is that forgiveness is really more about taking care of myself than it is “letting others off the hook.”
Conflict of any kind can breed resentment. One definition of resentment is to re-feel the pain of something from the past – to bring it to mind and stew in it, almost as if it was happening all over again. It’s like accidentally cutting your hand with a knife and then deciding to avenge yourself by stabbing the other hand. Anger and unforgiveness have also been described as drinking poison with the hope that the other person will get sick. When we are angry and resentful, ultimately the only one we hurt is ourselves.
If you are harboring anger and resentment, do yourself a favor and let it go. Joy and peace await you!