BittersweetSample

Written by Cherish, age 17 from Charlotte, NC

The greatest commandment is to love God.  The second greatest commandment is to love others as we love ourselves.  Those two commandments are not connected on accident. You cannot do one without the other.  As we love God, we love other people, and that love pushes us to forgive them.  Love and forgiveness of others brings us closer to God. Holding anger starts a terrible cycle.  Lack of forgiveness causes resentment and anger. Resentment, or holding a grudge, affects our ability to love others as we love ourselves because we will constantly fear getting hurt again. That’s why it’s impossible to love people and resent people at the same time. Today, if you are struggling to forgive someone, consider talking to a trusted adult and ask them how they have taken steps towards forgiveness.