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By Freda Reynolds

How are your accounts? Savings, checking, retirement, have been taking quite a hit the last few years. So many are having difficult times. 

I want to speak to a different account, our grudge accounts. This is the only account we should keep at a zero balance at all times. This is the place where we store our unforgiveness from hurts, anger, bitterness that eventually leads to the destruction of our souls. We have all experienced those times when we have been wronged. Whether it was justified or not the hurt remains unhealed as long as we add to the grudge account. These hurts leave major scars and holes in our souls. 

However, trying to hold another responsible for wrongs they have done, is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die! It poisons our heart and soul. Forgiveness is the only way to complete freedom. As strange as it sounds, retaining the debt we hold on their behalf never punishes the other person. Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and thereby it many become defiled.” 

Only by trusting God to judge the behavior fairly and justly, can we find freedom. We can not know all the reasons that cause another to be unkind and have malice in their minds. BUT God knows and sees. He will judge righteously. We simply pray to forgive and no longer keep their account open. Close the account. It isn’t easy but it is simple. It may take some processing and a lot of conversation with the Lord. But we simply write off their debt and realize God will bring peace and joy back to our hearts and souls. 

God’s ways are not our ways, His thoughts are higher. So many of His ways are considered upside down in today’s world. For example, the first will be last, the last will be first, and it is more blessed to give than to receive. Matthew 10:39, NLT, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it, but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” 

Life is so much better living in freedom.