A man was bitten by a dog, and when he learned the dog had rabies, he began to make a list. “No need for a will,” the doctor said, “you will be just fine. Rabies can be cured.”
“Oh, I’m not making a will,” the man replied, “I’m making a list of all the people I want to bite.”
Can you relate?
I know I can. I’ve had my fair share of I need to get back at certain individuals when they do me wrong.
Do you find yourself choosing bitterness over forgiveness? Knowing full well that bitterness takes more energy and causes more stress than forgiveness.
We tend to choose lists, choose biting, choose fighting back over what we know is right because we feel justified through those actions. We feel validated through revenge, even though revenge causes us more harm than the individual we are angry at.
Through life, we have learned that friends don’t always end up friendly, family members don’t always end up as loving as they should be, and we KNOW that promises tend to be broken more often than we would like.
Being disappointed by people is common, but forgiveness and getting rid of that list is not so familiar yet needed.
Do you want to hold onto that list? Does it bring you peace knowing you’re keeping tabs on everyone that has wronged you? Give up the list before it consumes you and bitterness before it incites you. Chose a path rarely traveled and be the change your family and your community needs.
“Love does not count up wrongs that have been done.” 1 Corinthians 13:5