How Much Weight Are You Willing to Carry?

There’s a story about a man who got himself into a mountain of debt. He owed his master a lifetime of wages and was doomed to a life in prison because of it.

The master, however, relented. He forgave this man all of his debts and sent him on his way.

The freedom of forgiveness was sweet.

But this same man, in order to recoup some of his losses, went to a friend who owed him a few day’s wages. He beat him, grabbed him by the throat, and demanded what was owed to him.

Even though this man had just been forgiven a mountain of debt, he refused to forgive his friend for much less.

When the master found out, he sentenced him to life in prison.

My friends, to harbor unforgiveness is to invite destruction.

This was a story told by Jesus in Matthew 18 to communicate God’s perspective on forgiveness.

Unforgiveness is a heavy burden. It clings to you, adding unnecessary weight to your heart, mind, and spirit.

Every grudge, resentment, and unresolved hurt is a stone in the backpack you carry through life.

It’s a life sentence.

And even more, harboring resentment communicates that we haven’t truly learned from Christ’s forgiveness to us.

Forgiveness is for you, not for them.

A common misconception is that forgiveness benefits the other person. But the truth is forgiveness is for YOU.

Holding onto unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

You’re the one carrying the weight, you’re the one feeling the bitterness, and you’re the one blocking your own peace.

Releasing that grudge doesn’t mean what happened was okay. It means you are choosing to free yourself from the chains of resentment.

The longer you hold it, the heavier it gets.

Ever notice how the longer you dwell on something, the worse it feels?

What started as a small hurt becomes a boulder strapped to your back.

It is the same with unforgiveness. Its weight compounds over time, pressing down on you, and making you weary.

And yet, the person who hurt you is not carrying that weight—you are.

You weren’t meant to live like this. You weren’t designed to drag past pain into your future victories.

The only way to lighten your load is to let go.

Freedom is found in letting go.

At some point, you have to ask yourself: Is holding on worth what it’s costing you?

Is it worth your peace, your joy, your future?

Because while you hold on to unforgiveness, life keeps moving. And it’s waiting for you to catch up.

Drop the weight.

Break free from the shackles of resentment.

And step into the life you were meant to live—unburdened and unstoppable.