“Let all bitterness, rage, and anger be gone” Ephesians 4:31

When someone has wronged us or hurt us in some way, it’s normal to feel angry. Sometimes, we choose to forgive and move on, but other times, the pain is so deep that we don’t even want to consider forgiveness. We then ask ourselves: “Where do we draw the line? When should we hold someone accountable for their actions, and when is it the right time to forgive?”

The first battle to fight is the one within, against negative feelings. Often, when someone hurts us, we feel the urge to get revenge. But holding a grudge is like poison that ends up destroying you from the inside. It doesn’t harm anyone else, only eating away at you.

If you think that holding onto resentment will punish the other person, think again. It’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to suffer from it. The truth is, resentment robs you of the peace and happiness you could have. It’s better to never keep enemies. Some may choose to be your enemies, but you don’t have to be one in return. There will always be someone who doesn’t like you, and that’s okay. You can’t control that.

Imagine being given the choice: to live in joy or in suffering. What would your natural choice be? Joy, of course. Every human being longs to be happy, to find peace and well-being. Whether you call it happiness, pleasure, or satisfaction, that’s what we’re all seeking.

When it comes to your well-being—whether physical, mental, or emotional—you are the one who has 100% control. To create external circumstances, you need others and their cooperation. But to keep your heart in peace, that’s up to you alone.

Choosing whether or not to be angry isn’t a matter of morality; it’s a personal choice. You decide whether to stay peaceful or let yourself be thrown off balance. In the end, as the Bible says: “Vengeance and retribution belong to God alone.” (…)

This text is an excerpt from the book “OUR BAD THOUGHTS” written by ORNELLA NLOME.

We invite you to read the next article, “ALWAYS JUDGING OTHERS.”

WHEN EVERYTHING ANNOYS ME. WHEN EVERYTHING ANNOYS ME.