Grudges are stupid.

While sometimes they honestly may be the easier route than to forgive- you're doing nothing but ultimately hurting yourself.

Words hurt, I understand that. I've been hurt by words as have you. I have also been the one to hurt by using words. Unfortunately we cannot take back our words or actions, which is why it is so crucial to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23), minds, and mouths.

But I am a human who makes mistakes and so are you. I have had terrible days where I have made the biggest mistakes which are still held against me, and it hurts bad knowing that.

Guess what? I am sure you have too.

However, I choose to be the person to forgive and I pray that I am also forgiven because those actions don't define who I am as a person.

I pray that I can learn to truthfully and wholly live out Ephesians 4:31-32:

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

We cannot live a life focused on Christ when we are filled with bitterness and anger. It hurts our souls and we cannot live for Christ nor doing what He has set out for us with our minds focused on that. The enemy uses those feelings as fuel to push us farther from Christ.

Forgiveness is hard especially when you've been wronged.

You don't have to be best of friends with the person who hurt your heart, but allow God to renew you and forgive so that you may live life in peace. I wholeheartedly believe that God can mend even the biggest and dirtiest of messes. I have seen it happen more than once. I know it wasn't easy, but through Him all things are possible (Luke 1:37).

I want to encourage you today to seek and find Him in each and every circumstance. Allow God to heal and comfort you. Don't waste your life away bitter and angry because you'll be the one hurting yourself while everyone else is living life.

You can't change others opinions, minds or actions, but you can focus on yourself and make the decision to forgive and move on allowing God to work through your and your life. Only then will you be set free.