It’s amazing what we can find comforting. Whether it’s a cuppa with plenty of milk and sugar, or an old jumper, the easiest things to hold onto when we feel in need of a little soothing are, most often, the things we’ve known and had for a while.
When we’re wronged, we can also find ourselves comforted by not-forgiving. It’s easy to nestle down into being sure that we were in the right, that we’re the victim, almost holding it up as something to be proud of. The problem is, that this can eat away at us, and leads to us becoming bitter and judgemental.
Jesus modelled true forgiveness. He didn’t even hold a grudge against the people who physically nailed Him to that piece of wood, or against those who tormented Him while He died. Luke 23:34, right?
Now, we know. You’re not Jesus. And forgiveness is hard. It is painful, humbling and often unfair. Sometimes, the really big things can take years, counselling, reconciliation, and more, to be brought to a point of forgiveness. In those situations, we just need to be willing to take the first step, to begin the process, for the healthiness of our own lives. In fact, if you have something big like that to work through, have a conversation with someone you trust, and ask them to help you move on.
And as for the little things? That stuff that we really could let go of, here and now? Read Daniel 9:9, know that God has forgiven *you*, and pay that forward.

What Now?
Write down the unforgiven things you’ve held onto. Rip them up and go for a walk. Put them in a bin somewhere, and leave them behind.