229/365: Cleaning Up The Grudges

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 2:5

The bulk of the old testament teaches us how to be on good terms with God and love Him.

The new testament is dedicated to teaching us how to be on good terms with others and love them as Christ loves them - and this is how we Love God.

Life is far to valuable to waste on anger or grudges held against someone. There is nothing "Christ-like" in living with a grudge. In fact, it does more harm to you than your target.

Perhaps today is the day you restore a few broken relationships.

GO DEEPER: Matthew 6: 7-15

Next Step: Start by making a list of those people on your "grudge list". Pray for them every day for a week. Then reach out and work toward restoration or closure - God will lead the way.

Leonard

on 08/18/2023 at 11:59 AM

Powerful testimony Brandon! Thanks for sharing 🙏🏿

Old Dude

on 08/17/2023 at 09:44 PM

Holding grudge against someone allows them to keep their hand on your throat.

Lawrence Perberg

on 08/17/2023 at 08:12 PM

Great words gentlemen. Thank you!

Tim Debronsky

on 08/17/2023 at 04:02 PM

Amen Elliott. Great testimony Brandon!

Brandon Pembleton

on 08/17/2023 at 02:07 PM

Oh boy do I know about the poison drink that is holding grudges! A few years ago before becoming saved I had a couple of them. I was married at the time and my spouse at the time had an affair with someone at her firm. The amount of hate and vitriol I drank from daily was insane. It literally drove me to a place of madness. I kept it all bottled up other than lashing out frequently at my former spouse. I wanted to make it rain pain on her and him. I couldn’t on him at least not without going to jail so I made it rain on her all the time. Rage and resentment on levels never experienced by me. Forgiveness ha not an option then. I thought if I forgave well that would just be an enabling action and was afraid that would make it happen again. Needless to say that trauma plus it being a super selfish toxic relationship on both ends caused it to ultimately fail. I was left crushed by my own grudge. All of that hate devoured me. But it also crushed me to the point of giving up and at that moment I found recovery and then God. I learned quickly to pray for those who hurt me to have a good life because if they do they don’t continue to hurt others. And it frees me of grudge shackles. I healed from that relationship at an astonishing rate because it was I who healed me but God. He breathed purpose into me and I rose like a phoenix to show others if I can you most certainly can. Thank you for the holy fire that burns inside me God. I love you amen 🙏

Boyce Moses

on 08/17/2023 at 01:42 PM

If we fail to forgive others we give them free room and board in our mind. All we are hurting is ourself. The person we haven’t forgiven doesn’t have the slightest idea, many times, we still hold the grudge but it’s eating us up. Forgive them and give your mind more room to share Gods love. Love you Jesus! 🤎💙🧡💛

Tommy Williamson

on 08/17/2023 at 01:21 PM

Over the last few years I have found that for every grudge that we hold onto we also hold onto the guilt and sin that goes with it. That then becomes a foothold for Satan to use against us and for his demons to climb us and hold onto to and use against us in so many ways. As we get rid of those grudges we our enemy looses those footholds and has a harder time getting to us. Over the past year I have really gained an appreciation for the last two verses of today’s additional reading and particularly verse 15 were it tells us the if we don’t forgive others our Father won’t give us. In other words if you want to be forgiven then drop the grudges, hate, bitterness and anger you hold towards others and learn to move on. That even includes the grudges you hold to word yourself and the sins you have committed.

Kelly Vanover

on 08/17/2023 at 12:59 PM

I have done this and once it’s done you’ll be released from the weight that’s held you back in ministering in other areas of your life!

Jim

on 08/17/2023 at 11:33 AM

Amen Elliot.

Mike S

on 08/17/2023 at 11:19 AM

Amen Elliott. Matt 22:39. Wishing you all the very best today

randy swopes

on 08/17/2023 at 11:03 AM

Amen, Elliott

Elliott

on 08/17/2023 at 09:06 AM

In 12 step recovery, it has shown me that. If you have resentment you want to be free of, if you will pray for the person or thing that you resent, you will be free. If you ask in prayer for everything you want for yourself to be given to them, you will be free. Ask for their health, their prosperity, and their happiness, and you will be free. Even when you don't really want it for them and your prayers are only words and you don't mean it, go ahead and do it anyway. Do it everyday for two weeks, and you will find you have come to mean it and to want it for them, and you will realize that where you used to feel bitterness and resentment and hatred, you now feel compassionate, understanding and love." It worked for me then, and it has worked for me many times since, and it will work for me every time I am willing to work it. Sometimes, I have to ask first for the willingness, but it always comes. And because it works for me, it will work for all of us. As another great man says, 'The only real freedom a human being can ever know is doing what you ought to do because you want to do it. This great experience that released me from the bondage of hatred and replaced it with love is really just another affirmation of the truth I know: I get everything I need in Alcoholics Anonymous—everything I need I get—and when I get what I need I invariably find that it was just what I wanted all the time.

229/365: Cleaning Up The Grudges

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