Double Dog Dare of the Week: Grudges

[Jesus continued,] "I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."

— Mark 11:24-26 NLT

I think I come up with the ideas for the “Double Dog Dare of the Week” by asking myself, “What am I afraid of the most?” Also, what challenge could I pose to the whole-wide world that would make me look like the biggest hypocrite ever?

Maybe you’ve heard the expression, “I wouldn’t ask you to do anything that I’m not willing to do myself.” Well, that old saw does NOT apply here!

Following Christ is HARD!

But, you know, being crucified for our sins was hard, too. But He did it. (Mic drop.)

So, that brings us to the “Double Dog Dare of the Week”.

This week, I am speaking directly to all my brothers and sisters out there who hold onto grudges. You know who you are. I see you out there. I can see you, because I am just like you! Takes one to know one, as they say.

For instance, I’m still upset with the kid who beat me out for the role of Santa Claus in my 4^th grade production of Santa & The Jumbo Jet, way back in 1980. When we graduated high school in 1988, he was still in my class, but I wouldn’t even talk to him. Haven’t seen him since. It’s been almost 40 years, but, if I ran into him today, I’d probably cross over to the other side of the street. Cold shoulder city.

And he didn’t even do anything BAD! He was just a better singer than I was!

So, yeah, I’ve got to work on that.

The Bible is chock-full of reminders about forgiveness. It’s pretty non-negotiable. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus said that if people don't forgive others, God will not forgive them. Ouch.

And, if any of my kids were struggling with a grudge-type situation, I’d counsel them to find a way to forgive. But, I, personally, don’t have a good track record with forgiveness of my own.

So, this week, I’m going to challenge myself to at least start THINKING about forgiving the people in my life with whom I’ve got a beef. I’ll challenge you to do the same. 

I know you know exactly the person in your life that ticks this particular box, too. It’s scary and painful to dig up those long-buried memories and deal with them years later.

But, I’m going to pray this week for the strength to do just that. Grudges are deeply powerful things. I suspect that the Devil loves grudges, because they give him the opportunity to work his way into a person’s heart and wreak all sorts of havoc. Don’t let him do that! Kick the Devil out of your heart!

That’s your Double Dog Dare of the Week.