Imagine walking a long distance carrying two heavy, jagged stones tightly clenched in your hands. Your knuckles are bleeding, your arms are aching, and you are completely exhausted. Someone kindly offers you a bottle of fresh water, but you realize you cannot reach out to take it because your hands are completely occupied holding onto those painful, heavy stones. Resentment toward others is exactly like holding onto those jagged stones. We carry old grudges thinking we are punishing the person who hurt us, but in reality, we are only hurting ourselves and preventing our own healing. Before we can make amends for the harm we caused, we must become willing to release the grudges we hold against others. Forgiveness cleanses our hands and prepares our hearts to walk in true freedom. | 
