Holding onto anger doesn’t help us...

When we talk about the Parable of The Prodigal Son, we usually only focus on the younger brother. He is the one who asked for his share of the family inheritance and left home. He wasted everything on partying and bad choices until he had nothing left.

When a famine hit the land, he became desperate. He couldn't find a good job, so he ended up feeding swine. He was so hungry that even the swine's food looked good to him. Until he realized how wrong he was. He decided to go home, admit his mistakes, and ask for his father's forgiveness. Instead of being angry, his father welcomed him back with open arms. Then there is the older son. He became very angry when he saw his father throwing a big celebration. He felt it wasn't fair because he had stayed home and worked hard the whole time, yet his father had never given him a party.

Even though he stayed by his father's side, his heart was not in a good state. He was full of bitterness and anger toward both his father and his brother. He was responsible and obedient, but he was also filled with resentment. When it comes to family matters, it is very easy to love your family, but it is also very easy to feel hate. Love can turn into anger quickly, especially when you feel like you aren't getting the same love back in return. Some people never leave the church, but their hearts are not at peace. They are filled with anger and sadness. They blame God because they haven’t achieved yet what they want, and they constantly compare their lives to others.

Comparing yourself to someone else does not help you. It only makes you feel bitter. When you focus on what others have, it lets darkness enter your heart and mind. Instead of feeling joy, you feel resentment.

How is your heart today? What kind of feelings and thoughts are you holding on to? Do you feel angry at a family member or someone else? Are you holding onto old grudges? If you have hatred or bitterness inside you, you are living in a dark place. Even if you go to church every week, those feelings keep you in the dark.

Holding onto anger doesn't help you; it only hurts you more. It causes pain every single day and pulls you away from God. There is a big difference between simply attending church and truly belonging to Jesus. If your heart is full of hate, you cannot fully follow Him. Jesus taught us how important forgiveness is. “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 If you want to find true peace, experience real joy, and receive the Holy Spirit, you must let go of your anger.

You have to forgive.