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SACK OF SPUDS
'Go and be reconciled...' Matthew 5:24
The Bible says 'Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander' (Ephesians 4:31 NLT). But how? Sometimes the only way to get over your hurt feelings is to seek reconciliation - getting back the relationships you might have lost. And if you are willing, God will help you do it.
A college professor, teaching on the weight of unforgiveness, asked each of her students to bring a sack of potatoes to class. For each person they refused to forgive, they had to select a potato and write the date on it beside that person's name. Then for a month, without fail, they had to carry that sack of potatoes with them everywhere they went. After lugging those sacks around for a while each student began to recognise how much weight they were carrying, the amount of energy it took to focus on their bag, and that they had to be careful not to leave it in the wrong place. Eventually, as the potatoes began to rot and stink, they realised that getting rid of them was the only sensible move.
The Message Bible puts Jesus' thoughts on forgiveness like this, 'If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't ... what are you going to do with them?' (John 20:23 TM). Good question!
What now? What are you going to do with all that unforgiveness? Take some alone-time with God and ask him for the strength to forgive that someone who has been weighing you down.
written by Bob Gass
'Go and be reconciled...' Matthew 5:24
The Bible says 'Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander' (Ephesians 4:31 NLT). But how? Sometimes the only way to get over your hurt feelings is to seek reconciliation - getting back the relationships you might have lost. And if you are willing, God will help you do it.
A college professor, teaching on the weight of unforgiveness, asked each of her students to bring a sack of potatoes to class. For each person they refused to forgive, they had to select a potato and write the date on it beside that person's name. Then for a month, without fail, they had to carry that sack of potatoes with them everywhere they went. After lugging those sacks around for a while each student began to recognise how much weight they were carrying, the amount of energy it took to focus on their bag, and that they had to be careful not to leave it in the wrong place. Eventually, as the potatoes began to rot and stink, they realised that getting rid of them was the only sensible move.
The Message Bible puts Jesus' thoughts on forgiveness like this, 'If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't ... what are you going to do with them?' (John 20:23 TM). Good question!
What now? What are you going to do with all that unforgiveness? Take some alone-time with God and ask him for the strength to forgive that someone who has been weighing you down.
written by Bob Gass
