Guest Post: Reasons to Forgive and Not Hold Grudges
Julie’s note: Yes, I accept guest posts when it fits the guidelines. This one did, so here it is.
Have you ever got into a situation where a group of people or an individual misuses your charity or abuses your trust with hurtful acts of the physical and mental type? If we were to ask anyone this question I am pretty sure they would have a list of injustice and hurt caused by another. This can cause one to hold grudges and to develop hate for another. Sometimes the sound of someone’s name is enough to send one into a hateful rage or cause a frown.
But with that kind of attitude what does one gain, do they advance in some hidden wisdom by thinking that some day they may have some type of reveng? Will plotting and acting out vengeful scenarios in your mind lighten the load of life? It’s understandable that some people may justify fighting fire with fire, but where does it get you?
The more one dwells on hate and other negative feelings, the more they start to live their life by that doctrine. Hateful and criticizing thoughts will be the first to enter your mind in many situations. Sure, you may know love, you may believe in God and Jesus– you may even do many works of selfless charity.
But what good is that when you refuse to forgive another who has wronged or hurt you. I think we are all sinners in God’s eyes, but if you seek forgiveness from God and Jesus it will most likely be granted to you. Now if God and Jesus have the willpower to forgive your sins don’t you think you should honor and thank God and Jesus by forgiving those who have hurt or wronged you. For doesn’t Jesus say this:
For if you forgive men their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you your offenses. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offenses. –Matthew 6:14-15
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached how to properly abide by some of the commandments and He gave some great advice on many everyday occurrences that people face in life. Jesus concluded the Sermon with these words:
Everyone therefore who hears these my words and acts upon them, shall be likened to a wise man who built his house on rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, but it did not fall, because it was founded on rock.
And everyone who hears these my words and does not act upon them, shall be likened to a foolish man who built his house on sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and was utterly ruined. Matthew 7:24-27
By not forgiving you are holding yourself back from experiencing the full feeling of love. Love is meant to purge all negativity but if your clinging on to the negativity how will you be purged fully? I don’t think there is a middle ground when it comes to choosing light or darkness. To be enveloped in light and love you need to release all the darkness in your life and forgiveness is one of the most important acts to surrender to.
ride and ego get in the way of forgiving, hence the reason you most surrender yourself to the flow of forgiveness. By doing so you are lightening the burdens of your life by using love and forgiveness to deal with evil that cross your path and by doing so you will not add to your burdens, instead you will be free of false goals that take away your happiness. Happiness and love will be abundant in your life if you allow it to be and forgiveness is the first step.
Just look at Jesus and how He lived his life by acts of love and forgiveness, you can do that too. The Pharisees probably annoyed Jesus but He didn’t turn to hate or revenge in response to their questions. Jesus forgave and loved. What an awesome power it is to forgive and love, free for anyone to tap into. Why not make it a habit.
Rand Kilbane’s Bio: A while ago I found myself in a grey area in my life, not seeing any real fulfilling point to living. Even though I was Christian Iwas weak in my faith, but praise be to Jesus and God, with Their help I have become strengthened in my faith and love for Them and I see now that there is nothing that is more fulfilling than trying to please, love and serve Jesus and God. People may ask in their lifetime, is there a God? If you ask this or you are seeking to find fellowship with other Christians, please check out our Christian forums.
