One day, a teacher had each one of his students bring a clear plastic Bag and a sack of potatoes. For every person they refused to forgive in their life experience, they were told to choose a potato, write on it the names and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of the students' bags, as you can imagine, were quite heavy.

They were then told to carry these bags with them everywhere for one month, putting it beside their beds at night, on the car seat when driving, next to their desk at school. The hassle of lugging this around with them made it clear what a weight they were carrying spiritually, and how they had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget, and keep leaving it in embarrassing places.

Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty slime. This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity! Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person and it clearly is for us!

So the next time you decide you can't forgive someone, ask yourself : ... "Isn't my bag heavy enough?"

"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothed yourselves with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love.

Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony." Colossians 3:12-14 NLT

"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15 NLT