Daily Devotional for November 17, 2017
Giving Up Water
Katie ran into the kitchen out of breath. She poured a glass of cold
water and gulped it down. A few minutes later, her sister walked in.
“Why didn’t you wait for me?” Kennedy asked.
Katie shrugged. “I saw you were walking home with Seth, so I decided to go for a run.”
Kennedy sighed. “Are you still mad at him for what he did last month?”
“He tripped me on purpose and made me get a big scratch on my face on picture day!” Katie exclaimed.
“But he apologized,” Kennedy reminded her. “He’s having a birthday party at his house this weekend and told me to invite you.”
“I’m not going!” Katie said firmly. “Not after what he did.”
Dad walked into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. “Not going where?” he asked.
“To Seth’s birthday party,” said Kennedy. “Katie’s still mad at him for tripping her over a month ago.”
Just then a fly landed on the rim of Dad’s glass. “Ew!” said Dad. He poured the rest of the water in the sink. “I’ll teach that fly to try swimming in my water. I’m never drinking water again!”
Katie stared at her dad, puzzled. “Dad,” she said, “it’s just a little fly! And besides, you have to drink water—your body can’t survive without it.”
“So giving up water would hurt me more than the fly?” Dad asked. Katie nodded. “Well, it sounds to me like you’re trying to hurt Seth for what he did to you, but you’re just going to end up hurting yourself a lot more. I know that what he did was wrong, but he said he was sorry. And Jesus tells us to forgive others because He forgave us. He tells us to do that so we can show His love to others, but also because He knows that when we hold on to bitterness and anger, we hurt ourselves more than anyone else. You’re trying to get back at Seth, but you’re going to be the one sitting home by yourself while your sister and friends are having fun at his party.”
Katie sighed. “Okay, Dad,” she said. “Maybe it’s time I finally forgive him.” – Melissa Yeagle
How about you?
Are you trying to get back at someone by refusing to forgive them? It’s normal to feel angry when someone hurts you, and sometimes forgiveness takes time. But don’t hold on to feelings that hurt both you and others. If you trust in Jesus, He’s forgiven you for all the wrong things you’ve done, and He wants you to forgive others. Ask Him to help you let go of your bitter, angry feelings and forgive.
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