STRIP OFF THE EXTRA WEIGHT

Forgive and forget. Let go and move on. Very common statements in the society but do we really know what it takes to follow them?. Somewhere along the road to recovery we harbor resentment. You see or think of the other person and somehow your heart feels heavy. You roll your eyes whenever they pass and even start cursing them in your head. You may even have gone as far as directing certain savage quotes towards them hoping they'll feel sorry for what they did.

Feeling resentful is a complex emotion that combines elements of anger along with a negative outlook toward another person. As long as you're bitter you'll never have good thoughts towards person you're mad at. 

We've all watched enough movies to make us believe that those who cause us pain must suffer for it to be considered karma. We even pray that bad luck will befall them and "humble" them while they watch us rise and surpass them. However, God has a totally different view from us.

Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.
Hebrews 12:15 TPT

There's no denying the fact that bitterness and unforgiveness cloud our vision. We're always left in a position where we're blinded by hatred so much that we fail to see God's heart for those who hurt us. You'll always feel like treating the other party with contempt and malice. 

Notice how the verse starts with warning us to be careful not to miss the revelation of God's grace! Forgiveness is basically extending God's mercy to others. An understanding of God's grace is what makes it possible to do so. In this case grace is the supernatural empowerment. In and of yourself, you cannot extend God's mercy to others especially when you're hurting. It takes grace to forgive. Resentment becomes a veil that keeps us from seeing that.

But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

Matthew 6:15 AMPC

 We are instructed to forgive others if we want to be forgiven. One can easily argue that our sins are already eternally forgiven so regardless of what we do or don't do we're good to go. Nothing could be further from the truth.

But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:15 AMP

This version points out the main danger of holding a grudge. It's true we cannot be separated from the love of God but there are things that hinder us from receiving and operating in it. We forgive others because we value our relationship with God. It gives God the permission to release His peace in us.

 There's a common quote that goes like "unforgiveness is like taking poison and expecting someone else to die." It's a self-inflicted harm. It becomes a burden that weighs you down each time you try to get up and move on.

 …stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:1 AMP

Don't allow bitterness to be the sin that cleverly entangles you. You'll remain stuck in the past when God is trying to pull you into the future with Him. Harboring resentment gives the devil a foothold in your life; something Paul strongly warns us about in Ephesians 4:27. A few verses later he tells us how to deal with it.

But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.

Ephesians 4:32 TPT

Allow God's love, which keeps no record of being wronged, to take over. Forgiveness is hard for us humans but we have Jesus who set the perfect example on the cross. If you still have a hard time letting go of unforgiveness ask Him to fill you with His love until it overflows to others. Don't be one of those people who wait for the other party to apologize before they can forgive them. Forgive and set yourself free. Speak life and blessings over them, even if it's hard. Stop choosing to stay trapped in a jail cell of bitterness, serving time for someone else's crime!