WITHHOLDING FORGIVENESS IS LIKE DRINKING POISON, HOPING IT KILLS THE OTHER PERSON.

Boy, that quote is a HEART CHECK if I've ever seen one.

If you follow me, you know I follow Jesus.

I don't push it on you, and without a doubt, I'll never love anyone less who doesn't follow Him as I do.

But he is my Guide, and I have found Him to have great, unmatched wisdom because He is well, God. Let me share what Jesus teaches me about people who treats me like an "enemy.” Ready for it?

He says to bless them and not to curse them.

What is “blessing” someone? For me, it might be to pray for God to bless them by entering their lives in a meaningful way as He has mine. To truly wish them well in my heart.

It means I don't want bad things to happen to them because of their bad choices and behavior. Even when it’s directed at me or my loved ones.

For me, to wish the best for them is to hope they can find the FREEDOM I've found in my life-changing relationship with Jesus.

If you think I'm nice at all, it's because I've consistently tried for 33+ years to follow his example, not JUST in action, but to let it permeate my heart and mind.

They say that “withholding forgiveness is like drinking poison, hoping it kills the other person.”

Not blessing those who treat us as enemies, hurts us. Bitterness and resentment is a poison that hurts ME. I feel it. They don’t.

Jesus' life purpose was to guide people to live an abundant life through Him because He cares; desiring us to live WHOLE.

And you and I can't LIVE WHOLE if bitterness and resentment is corroding our minds and hearts. 

Who do you need to forgive today? Someone else? Yourself?

Get rid of the poison of hatred, bitterness and resentment and choose love and forgiveness. Because one day (maybe today) you will want someone to extend it to you as well.

In this thing called life with you,

TRACI :)