Page 66 - Life is a Fight for Territory

We go through life. People hurt us. They disappoint us. They don’t live up to their end of the real or imaginary deal we have with them. So, we go along, picking up resentments, hurts, and anger. Left unattended, or nurtured by the validation of others (along with our own thoughts), these feelings take root and turn into bitterness, anger and even contempt. The problem with this is a simple one —you’re either walking in love and empowering blessings in your life, or you’re walking outside of love and empowering bondage. This ‘outside of love’ place can be labeled or disguised in a variety of ways, each one valid — each one deadly.
There’s no middle of the road. You’re either free or you’re in bondage. No exceptions for “that one person you just can’t forgive.”
But why? Why is un-forgiveness so deadly? Why can’t you hold resentments toward people who really deserve it? I mean, there’s some people out there who’ve done some pretty terrible things. Are you expected to just lay your feelings aside? Letting someone off the hook is weak, right? I mean, is this person just supposed to get away with whatever they want, no payment required?
Since we’re talking about “payment,” let’s genuinely explore it. When you choose not to forgive a person for hurting you or abusing you in some way, does he pay? Or do we?
Dr. Steven Standiford, chief of surgery at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, reports that harboring un-forgiveness is now classified in medical books as a disease.
Bottom line? Refusing to forgive will make you sick and keep
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