At some point I'm sure we've all had some kind of grudge with a friend, family member, co-worker, pet etc. If you've resolved that grudge then good for you and the other party. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? I don't care who's wrong or right, just try your best to make peace. Not only because it's right, but because that's what Jesus Christ wants, plain and simple(Christians take note). If you are holding a grudge with someone, chances are you despise that person. Problem is Jesus loves that person. So how can you hate someone that Jesus loves but yet claim to love Jesus. Also, if the person you have a grudge with was to die today, would you attend their funeral? If yes, why? To pay your last respects? In that case, why not pay that respect to the person while they are living (Christian or not).
I saw this happen not once, but actually twice. First was when my Mum was in her final hours. One of her friends with whom she had a disagreement with came to the hospital to make peace. This despite all the efforts and attempts my mum made to reach out to her long before she was in the hospital. And even though my mum was older and didn't even know the reason for the discord, her only goal was to make peace. I was amazed that this was the time this lady chose to finally yield to my Mum's attempts at amity when she had ample chances to do so long before my mum was in the hospital. Second time was at a funeral for a friend of my younger sister. As the young lady laid in her coffin, one of her friends was giving a speech on how she wished she had just made peace before her dear friend passed. I pray none of us ever find ourselves in the position where we have to apologize to the dead. Furthermore, if you are holding a grudge with someone and one of you die, one or both of you won't get to see Heaven. Maybe then you'll realize how senseless a grudge is. (Even if you don't believe in Heaven, grudges are still senseless).
Ever since I experienced the situation with my mum and her friend, I made the decision to live grudge free. Seeing a similar situation at that funeral only reinforced that decision. I beseech you to do the same. Not only are grudges a huge burden on one's heart, but they are also a major waste of time. Now I'm not saying we're not going to get angry at one another, but the goal is to not let that anger grow into hate or disdain. If you feel someone has offended you, please try to settle it right there and then pray for one another. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes. It saddens me when I hear of how Father and Son, Mother and Daughter, Brother and Sister, Brother and Brother, Sister and Sister, Best Friends, Groom and Best Man, Bride and Maid of Honor, Pet and Pet Owner etc no longer talk for one reason or the other. I pray the love of Jesus will soften all of our hearts towards one another so we can all love each other as He has instructed us to.
By the way, when we argue, bicker, fight and hold grudges with one another, whose agenda are we promoting, that of the prince of darkness and destruction or that of Jesus, The Prince of Peace? I'll answer this very important question in a future post. And even if you don't believe in the Prince of Peace or prince of darkness, grudges are still a waste of time. Or isn't it? I guess only time will tell...
Grudge Free,
Humble Prince
P.S
Please don't make living Grudge Free one of your New Year Resolutions. We all know how some of you are when it comes to resolutions :).
