Burying a Grudge

The following is a copy of a blog from Turning Point Ministry.... I thought it was worth repeating.

Methodist pastor Charles Allen wrote that when he was in the fourth grade, a school official mistreated him. The man, who had a falling out with Charles' father, took it out on the son. Years later during Charles' first pastorate, he heard that his old antagonist was seeking a job with area schools. Charles knew that as soon as he told his friends on the school board about the man, they would not hire him.

He later wrote, "I went out to get in my car to go see some of the board members and suddenly it came over me what I had done. Here I was out trying to represent Him who was nailed to the Cross and me carrying a grudge. That realization was a humiliating experience. I went back into my house, knelt by my bedside, and said, 'Lord, if you will forgive me of this, I will never be guilty anymore.'"1

The concept of grace is hard to understand because it's so far removed from how we as fallen people relate to each other. But grace is grace--and grace changes things.  Matthew 5:44...But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

Every cat knows some things need to be buried (Ruth Bell Graham, in Legacy of a Pack Rat).

One more thought....when you bury that grudge...don't leave the handle sticking out.