Grudges

You guys may not know this about me. You guys might even share in this feeling. What I want to share in my deep thoughts this morning is this. The word "Grudge." Let me share with you some deep thoughts of myself and that word.

Wow, unfortunately, I know there are times I will hold grudges over someone's head. I confess that I may hold that grudge for years and years. I'm not going to go into specifics of what those grudges were about. But I will share this.

Personally, for me, this is what holding a grudge did to my life and how it affected me. I was bitter and angry for a long time. Since I am an actress I was able to hold in and hide those feelings. However, God knew my heart. Another result of holding a grudge was therapy. Yep I saw a psychiatrist for months because I thought that's what I needed to do. And maybe that was what I needed to do for a little bit in God's eyes. However, when I felt in my heart that God said stop seeing the psychiatrist, I stopped and I started to feel so much better. Because I saw the psychiatrist, it was enough for me to let go of the Grudge, a little.

You know what really made me let go of that grudge?  It was speaking to my Christian sister who told me to let go of the grudge in your heart. God is the one who helped me definitely to let go of that grudge.

Am I saying now that things are perfect and I never think about it? No way. Because you know what. Satan loves to remind you of holding those grudges. He likes to remind us of why you were even holding those grudges. Yes, I'm talking about even after you forgave in your heart and gave the grudge to the Lord, Satan will still bug you to death. Especially when you end up in a situation that is very similar to what even gave that grudge birth.

I know and perhaps you guys can empathize with me when I say that the reminder comes back every now and then. How do we let go of that grudge permanently? Permanently? I don't think it's possible? But then again with God anything is possible. I will say that it's not as often that I am reminded of that garage. So that's a good thing.

The bottom line of holding grudges? Don't do that!! I already shared with you some deep thoughts of what holding grudges will do to our lives. I guess the advice I can give now is do not let it go deeper and deeper, but once you feel a grudge coming on, rebuking it in Jesus's name and you better ask Jesus for help because you need to forgive that person. Forgive that person in your heart and the Lord help you with the rest of the way. That's really all we can do.

Matthew West Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Matthew 6:14-15 ESV

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.