That's true. When we say, I'll forgive, but I'll never forget, somehow we think our resentment is hurting the other person, when generally speaking, it is only devouring us.

I know, there is something appealing about nurturing resentment. Richard W. DeHaan tells the story of a little boy who had a fight with his brother. As the day passed, he refused to speak to his brother. At bedtime, their mother said, "Don't you think you should forgive your brother before you go to sleep? The Bible says we should not let the sun go down on our wrath." After some perplexed reflection, the boy replied, "But how can I keep the sun from going down?" We can all appreciate what he is saying, but the truth is that nurtured resentment hurts most the one who nurtures it. That is why our call is to forgive.

Ron Newhouse