The MountSample

Verses: Matthew 5:33-48

Title: Holding On

Today you will learn: Don’t hold on to grudges, hold on to grace.

Being a youth minister’s wife, it is common for teens to gather at our house and eat our food on any given day. One night we had some kids follow us home after VBS when they decided to make a frozen pizza. We were standing around our kitchen eating, when one of the guys grabbed for another slice, with two already on his plate. As he finished it, he looked at my husband who was grabbing for the last slice of pizza. The same guy swooped in and grabbed that last slice of pizza. On top of that he also took the last soda in the house. It was all in good fun, we teased him about being hungry and greedy. The funny part was, my husband is still “holding a grudge” to this day.

This story has been told numerous times and is brought up anytime he comes back to the house. My husband isn’t mad at him, we laugh about it all the time. But how many grudges do we have that involve hatred? Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:15, “If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” That doesn’t sound like a joke anymore. 

How many of us have been hurt by a friend or loved one and we just can't let go of it? Holding on to this hurt or grudge does so much harm. Not really to the other person, most of the time they may not even realize you are upset. The problem is, it hurts you and your relationship with God. Sometimes we think we are “justified” to hold on to this hurt. Are you willing to let this grudge come between you and the forgiveness our Father in Heaven has for you?

Summit prayer: Dear God, I know I have been hurt and have caused hurt. Please show me any hurt I have caused and help me let go of any grudges I am holding against others. Help me seek forgiveness and to give forgiveness in return.