One of the most memorable pieces of advice my mom ever gave me was, “Don’t go to bed mad,” and Mom lived by her words. Mom was the sweetest, most forgiving person I’ve ever known.
I saw Mom’s feelings hurt many times over the years (by all of us.) Of course, those things happen within families from time to time, but to the best of my knowledge, Mom never burdened herself with grudges. She might go to bed in tears or with some sadness occasionally, but never with bitterness, anger, or the desire for revenge toward others.
If you hurt Mom’s feelings and apologized, she accepted it with joy so that the wounds could heal quickly. On the other hand, if you never apologized, I think Mom just turned it over to God because she knew grudges harm our souls. I wish everone could have known my mom; she was awesome, and we miss her!
Jesus thought it necessary for us not to hold grudges against each other; in fact, in Jesus’s own words, He said: “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” Matthew 5:22-24
So, If you have harmed someone, make it right; if you’ve been hurt, do your best to make it right, and don’t let the sun go down on your anger.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18
Be forgiving!
see: Ephesians 4:26–27; Matthew 5:22–24; Romans 12:18; Ephesians 4:30–32; Colossians 3:13; Matthew 6:14–15.
God First!
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