Give it a Rest

"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will bless you." - Proverbs 25:21,22
"But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you,do good to them who hate you, and pray for them which dispitefully use you, and persecute you." - Matthew 5:44

Men, does someone come to mind right now as you read these passages of Scripture? Is there a person in your life who just knows how to get under your skin and causes you to lose your cool? You may say, "Man, you don't know what that person did to me! No way I'm forgiving him or her!" My friend, the person who hurts the most by holding on to that attitude of bitterness and hate, is you. It will eat you alive. It may even be someone who has long gone out of your life. Refuse to let that pain control you anymore. Release it to God and forgive whether they ask for forgiveness or not.

God sees all and will deal with that person far more in depth than you can. He will bless you though for giving it over to him. Don't forget, Christ was beaten and killed for something that wasn't even his fault yet he chose to show love and pity for his persecutors. Certainly if Christ can forgive them for their cruelty and for putting him to death, you can forgive the people that wrong you too. Don't become an ineffective leader in your own life by letting your pain and the past control you. Overcome evil with good! Overcome pain with forgiveness!

Who do you need to pray for and release your hurt to God on their behalf because of something bad that was done to you or one of your loved ones? Maybe it's still happening even at this moment. God wants you to let go of that burden, guys. Give it up. Don't let that person or situation steal your joy, happiness, and positive outlook on your future anymore. Stop playing the victim roll. Start living free and a victorious lifestyle today by just letting go! This is how you will experience freedom and take another step towards true, authentic manhood. Let the burden of unforgiveness and that grudge fall right off your back as you release it to God even though that person may not deserve it. Don't live another day with that negativity in your life.

Love the unlovely, because God said so.