Bear with each other and forgive each other whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
A lecturer walked around a room while teaching his students. As he raised a glass of water, everyone expected they would be asked the usual half empty or half full’ question. Instead, he inquired, “How much do you think this glass of water weighs?”
“Five hundred grams!” came a voice from the back.
“Six hundred!” said another student.
With the glass still in his outstretched hand, the professor continued, “What will happen if I hold it like this for a few minutes?”
“Nothing!” came the reply.
“Right, and if I hold it for an hour like this, what might happen?”
“Your hand will begin to hurt,” said a student.
“Indeed. And what would happen if I held the glass in my hand like this for twenty-four hours?”
“You would be in tremendous pain,” said one student.
“Your hand will probably go numb,” said another.
“Your arm will be paralysed and we’ll need to rush you to the hospital!” said a student on the last bench.
It is the same with nursing a grudge; the longer you carry it, the more it weighs you down. It can get so heavy, it stops you from living and paralyses your thinking. The reality of sharing this planet with others is that we will get hurt from time to time. That is why the Bible offers the advice in today’s verse. Forgive each other whatever grievances you may have. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. God is challenging you to give up your personal grudges. Instead of nurturing an offence by rehearsing it repeatedly, instead of holding on to grudges and becoming bitter, frustrated individuals, God has called us to a higher standard: that of forgiveness. He invites you to break the cycle of bitterness that binds you to the wounds of yesterday. Jesus tells us:
“Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him.” Mark 11:25 (AMP)
Anything against anyone. Be sure that when you pray, you no longer hold anything against anyone. We cannot experience the abundant life God has for us if we’re carrying the weights of bitterness and unforgiveness around. They weigh us down, slow our steps, deplete our energy and steal our joy. It’s time to let go and experience release. Ask God to search your heart.
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)