“As long as we are unable to forgive we keep ourselves chained to the unforgiving. We give them rent-free space in our mind, emotional shackles in our heart, and the right to torment us in the small hours of the night.”
I’m not sure who wrote that but I like it.
How often have you given someone “rent-free space” in your mind? Long after the comment or the event has passed, you go back and replay it again … and again … and again. It becomes an unwelcome guest, like family members who stay beyond three days (just kidding).
You feel the emotional shackles every time the person is around, or when their name is mentioned.
An unwillingness to forgive is a willingness to be tormented.
It doesn’t have to be that way. I am sure who wrote this (and I like it even more):
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” — Colossians 3:12-14
The forgiven become forgiving and in so doing experience true freedom and joy.