The Worst Kind Of Thief

The Worst Kind of Thief

“Don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27

My friend’s father, having been admitted to the hospital, was slowly dying. His body was worn out and simply began shutting down, and the doctors could do nothing to stop it. As hard as it was for her to watch her loved one fade, the real tragedy in this story lies in the angry grudge this man nursed for years against his adult daughters. Rejecting their peacemaking efforts, he preferred holding tightly to perceived hurts over pursuing reconciliation. Every part of his life was colored by his unforgiveness, and this hurt his Christian witness to the nonbelievers in their extended family.

It wasn’t until his final weeks that he reconciled with his daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. While my friend and her sister heard repeatedly about how wonderful it was that their family was reunited and made whole on this father’s deathbed, I couldn’t help but cry hot, angry tears. Forgiveness, while better than never, came too late for a hundred family holidays and too late to leave behind beautiful memories made up of small moments—the ones that become the most precious because of their very ordinariness. The loss of precious memories broke my heart for my friend.

Unforgiveness is a thief. It steals precious time, it destroys our Christian example, and it consumes us. How can we live lives that reflect the character of God and that intentionally pour out mercy and kindness to the people around us when we have hearts festering with unforgiveness?

Does it surprise us that God knows this and, while acknowledging that we will be angry, warns us not to let anger control us? He even commands us to deal with our anger before the sun sets and before we go to bed. God knows that unforgiveness eats us up from the inside out and will cost us precious years and a compromised witness.

Instead of allowing anger to fester, take it to God, asking him to help you forgive—whether or not the other party deserves it. God cannot use you to your fullest potential if your heart is holding on to unforgiveness.

—Julie

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Choose to forgive an old hurt and let go of a grudge.