Holding a Grudge

by Hillary Krahn

“bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” -Colossians 3:13

The reminder that the Apostle Paul sent to the Colossians is still fitting for us today over 1900 years later. The Colossians have been given a new self having been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection, and they needed reminding about what this meant for their lives. Compassion, kindness, humility, patience, love, and most importantly forgiveness for one another were at the top of the qualities that Paul told the Colossians they should have. Because we have a new life in Christ, we should have these qualities as well. Putting on that new self which mirrors the best attributes of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Is this easier said than done in a world rife with sin?

We live in a day and age where it has become important to be number one. If you aren’t “looking out for yourself”, “being the best you can be”, or “putting yourself first” are you even trying? The world wants you to be validated, the world wants you to be right, the world does not want you to forgive and forget. If someone has done something that makes you upset, the world wants you to complain until you get your way!! Look at how effective a Google review or Yelp review can be in making or breaking someone’s business!

Let’s look instead at the kingdom of God instead of the kingdom of the world. It seems a little upside down compared to today’s standards! However, can you see Jesus sitting on Google and giving a one star review because his cappuccino wasn’t exactly the way HE liked it? Or would he have looked at the burden of the barista working the shop alone, forgave, and acted out of love? Can you see Jesus being a keyboard warrior, firing off complaints every time something didn’t go his way? Jesus had his fair share of things not going the way he liked, look at the burden he bore on the cross. He bore the burden, and did so out of love! When we start looking at our complaints, they seem like small change compared to what our Savior experienced for us. We should instead be bearing burdens together, out of love for one another, and offering forgiveness. When we start getting pulled into our sinful, worldly self, remember the Colossians. The Lutheran Study Bible puts it beautifully, “As we each struggle with our own temptations, so we understand the struggles of others. ‘You also must forgive’ echoes the Fifth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer (Mt 6:12). Forgiving others shows that we truly believe God has forgiven us.”

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, let me put on a spirit of compassion, kindness, humility, patience, love, and forgiveness. Let me not lose sight of how you have forgiven me as I walk my life with others. Let me share in their burden, forgiving them when they have wronged me instead of holding a grudge. Allow me to model the love and forgiveness of your beloved Son, Jesus. Amen.