A grudge is a persistent feeling of resentment resulting from a past insult or injury. I think most of the time we hold grudges and don't even know it. I know I've held grudges over people, and no matter what they did and how badly they hurt me, I'm the one that ended up hurting the most. You let this bitter poison resonate in your heart and mind that doesn't need to be there. You let something eat away at you that you just need to let go of. Grudges serve no purpose other than making us feel worse about our hurting. But there's hope.
There's this little thing called forgiveness.
Now, don't get me wrong, forgiving people can seem like the hardest thing to do, especially when you're hurting. But in the long run, it's for the best (I promise). There have been many situations in my life where I thought it was impossible to forgive. How could someone do this to me? I thought they loved and cared about me. I can never forgive them for this. But it ends up being constantly on your mind, which is unhealthy and drags you down. Being hurt is a part of life. But it's how you react to the situation that can make or break you.
I've had to learn to be the bigger person. Don't fight fire with fire. Don't seek revenge. Rely on the people in your life that you know won't hurt you, and try to forgive whoever did you wrong. I've been through things in life that seemed absolutely impossible to get through. I thought I would never get through it. But you will. Things will get better. There has to be bad days, or else you would never be able appreciate the good ones.
Don't wait around for an apology from the person who wronged you, because honestly, you may never get one. That sounds harsh, but it's the absolute truth. Make a conscious decision to forgive them even if they didn't apologize. And as annoying as the "Let it Go" song from "Frozen" is (sorry if I put it in your head, because now it's stuck in mine), we need to learn to let. things. go. We hold on to this constant hurting when really, if we let it go, we'd be okay.
I promise things will get better. No matter how you're feeling, no matter if it seems impossible to just get through the day, it will get better. Trust yourself, forgive others and love yourself.
Colossians 3:12-14 says, "So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."
