Over the past 8 years we have been through many difficulties, some might seem small and some were life changing but they all had to be dealt with on one level or another. A lot of these difficulties had to do with people (go figure) and one of the biggest things I had to realize (closely followed by people are people, even saved people) was that it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what so-and-so said to or about you. It doesn't matter what so-and-so did to you. It doesn't matter what so-and-so did or said to your sister, brother, mom, or dad. It doesn't matter if you are completely in the right and the other person is completely in the wrong. It doesn't matter. That isn't what the life of a Christian is about. This isn't to say that you can't have feelings when people hurt you. But these feelings need to be taken to God, dealt with, and let go of. Life moves on, or it should.
I am so thankful to have had wise parents as I was going through these difficult times. I'm not saying I handle these situations perfectly every time they come up now. lol But I do have a much better grasp on it now. Unfortunately, it would seem that this concept is not being taught much anymore. I don't know how many times I've seen a young person hold on, and hold on, and hold on to some way they have been wronged. Of course they continually say that they have forgiven... but sometimes I wonder. The Christian life isn't about taking every grievance and logging it away for future reference. It isn't, one by one, checking every Christian off of your list because, surprise surprise, they acted human once (or twice, or three times, or four times...). We are to forgive and forget and move on. "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22 A lot.
"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." Psalm 37:5-6 The Lord will take care of it. We don't have to.
"He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears." Proverbs 26:17 Even if it's a family member that has been wronged. It's not our job to take it on.
So I repeat, no matter the situation, it doesn't matter. There is no good reason to hang onto, hold a grudge against (because you have to admit it, that's what you're doing), or shut out any person who has "done you wrong". Your relationship with the Lord and your service ( I hope you're in service!) are so much more important. Don't jeopardize these just for the sake of "justice". And don't over complicate it. Just do it. Get over it. Don't sit around stressing, trying to figure out "what to do in this situation". There's not usually anything to do! You just forgive and move on.
Can I say it one more time in closing? It doesn't matter!
With Prayers,
Sarah