You Can’t Get God’s Dream with a Grudge

by Rick Warren — April 16, 2022
From Fearless Living

“One person dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease, well nourished in body, bones rich with marrow. Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good.”

Job 21:23-25 (NIV)

You may have big dreams for your family, your career, and your community. But none of those dreams even come close to the dream God has for you.

The Bible tells us, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 GW).

You can’t walk into the dreams God has for you unless you learn to walk out of the prison of unforgiveness. You can’t walk into those opportunities carrying a grudge.

Why should you forgive people that have hurt you?

Because God has forgiven you.
You will never need to forgive anyone more than God has already forgiven you. When you come to faith in Christ, you don’t just get your sins forgiven. God completely wipes them out! There’s no record of them anywhere.

Romans 8:1-2 says, “There is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit—and this power is mine through Christ Jesus—has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death” (TLB). When you don’t forgive people in your life, you start a vicious circle. That cycle won’t end until you forgive the people who have hurt you.

Forgive, because resentment will make you miserable.
Refusing to forgive someone doesn’t hurt the other person. It hurts you. Resentment makes you miserable. Holding on to a hurt is like drinking poison and hoping it kills the person you hate. You may be hanging on to pain caused by people who can no longer hurt you. They can’t hurt you unless you let them!

The Bible says, “One person dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease, well nourished in body, bones rich with marrow. Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good” (Job 21:23-25 NIV).

You can either be happy or hold on to hurt and grow bitter. The choice is yours.

Forgive, because you’ll need forgiveness in the future.
You will never stop making mistakes, because you are human. You’ll need to be forgiven in the future, so you need to forgive others. Jesus taught, “If you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failures” (Matthew 6:15 GW).

You cannot receive what you are unwilling to give.

Today is the day to start forgiving so you can heal and move forward into God’s dream for your life.

Talk It Over

  • How have you seen people you care about have their lives derailed through a lack of forgiveness?
  • Why do you think people often choose to hold on to bitterness rather than embrace the life God wants them to live?
  • How does understanding your own need for forgiveness help you to more readily forgive others?

God’s Freedom Is Available to You Today

God promised that for those who believe in Jesus, there is no condemnation. He sent Jesus to save you from your sin. His death on the cross paid for every wrong you’ve ever done or will do. And by sacrificing himself for your sins and giving you his righteousness, Jesus made it possible for you to have a relationship with God, the Father.

And the good news of Easter doesn’t stop there. God also raised Jesus from the dead, proving his power over sin and death. And that makes it possible for you to spend eternity with him in heaven.

If you’re ready to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe that he died for my sin and that you raised him to life. I want to trust him as my Savior and follow him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


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