There is an old saying that holding onto resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. We hold onto our grievances like heavy, jagged rocks in a backpack, believing that carrying them somehow protects us or punishes the person who hurt us. In reality, refusing to forgive only breaks our own backs and keeps us locked in a prison of our own making. Before we can begin making amends to the people we have harmed, we must first drop the rocks we are carrying. Forgiveness is not about minimizing your pain or pretending the offense was okay. It is the conscious, willing decision to drop the weapon. We are commanded to do this because we must remember how much grace God has poured over our own massive pile of mistakes. Forgiving others is what finally sets our own hearts free. | 
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