3. Reflect
Paul has written a beautiful definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. In it, at the end of verse 5,
he writes, love “doesn’t keep a record of complaints.”
Is there somebody in your life who holds something over your head? Maybe there was a
misunderstanding or you messed up somehow. You thought that you had worked through
it with this person, but it keeps coming up. It’s impossible to move on, and it really puts a
strain on your relationship.
Part of forgiving is forgetting. In fact, if the situation continues to be brought up and
continues to affect the relationship, then there really hasn’t been forgiveness at all.
True forgiveness is hard, because by nature, we want the other person to know how much
we’ve been hurt. We want the other person to feel guilty about it. In a way, we want revenge.
But seeking revenge, holding a grudge, and trying to make somebody feel guilty doesn’t
actually make you feel better. In fact, harboring anger over one situation affects every other
situation and relationship in your life. And holding on to hostile feelings is completely
opposite of the kind of love God wants us to show one another. (How would it be if God
held grudges?)
4. Respond
Is there a situation in your life where somebody is
holding something over your head--or you are doing it
to somebody else? Pray about this situation, asking
God to fill you with the love of Christ and give you
guidance for the situation.
5. This is the day The Lord has
made, I will rejoice and be
glad in it.
