The following wisdom is from Max Lucado.  He asks, “Do you have a hole in your heart?” Perhaps the wound is old, a parent abused you, or a teacher slighted you.

… And you are angry.

Or perhaps the wound is fresh. The friend who owes you money just drove by in a new car. The boss who hired you with promises of promotions has forgotten how to pronounce your name. Your circle of friends escaped on a weekend getaway, and you weren’t invited.

….And you are hurt.

Part of you is broken and the other part is bitter. Part of you wants to cry and part of you wants to fight. The tears you cry are hot because they come from your heart, and there is a fire burning in your heart. The fire of anger is blazing. It’s consuming. Its flames leap up under a steaming pot of revenge.

You are left with a decision. “Do I put the fire out or heat it up? Do I get over it or get even? Do I release it or resent it? Do I let my hurts heal, or do I let hurt turn into hate?”

Resentment is the deliberate decision to nurse the offense until it becomes a black, furry, growling grudge.

Unfaithfulness is wrong.  Revenge is bad.  But the worst part of all is that without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.

God forgives the past. Imitate God.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Who do you need to forgive?