Akua sat in her car in the parking lot, gripping the steering wheel tightly. She had just finished an uncomfortable meeting at work where her colleague, Sarah, had thrown her under the bus in front of their boss. Sarah had blamed Akua for a mistake she hadn’t even made, and now Akua was the one left to clean up the mess. Anger bubbled in Akua’s chest as she replayed the scene over and over again. How could she do that to me? I thought we were a team.
The worst part was that this wasn’t the first time Sarah had wronged her. For months, Sarah had been passive-aggressive, undermining Akua’s ideas in meetings and taking credit for her hard work. Akua had tried to brush it off, but this time felt personal. As she sat there, fuming, a single thought filled her mind: I’ll never forgive her. She doesn’t deserve it.
Akua drove home in silence, still stewing over the situation. That night, during her Bible study, she came across Leviticus 19:18: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.”
The verse made her stop in her tracks. Don’t hold a grudge? she thought. But what about Sarah? After everything she’s done, how can I just let it go? Akua felt a tug on her heart as if God was gently whispering, Love her anyway.
The next morning, Akua prayed before going to work. “God, I don’t know how to let this go. I’m hurt and angry, and I don’t want to forgive Sarah. But I know You’re calling me to love her, even when I don’t feel like it. Please help me see her the way You see her.”
That day, Akua made a conscious decision not to retaliate, even when Sarah made another snide remark during a meeting. Instead of snapping back, she chose to respond with patience. Later, when Sarah struggled with a project deadline, Akua stepped in to help, even though part of her wanted to say, This is what you deserve.
At first, it wasn’t easy. Every time Akua chose to show kindness instead of holding onto her grudge, her pride screamed for justice. But over time, something incredible began to happen. Akua’s heart softened. She started praying for Sarah, not just for her behaviour to change, but for Sarah’s well-being. She realized that Sarah’s actions might be coming from her own insecurities and struggles.
One afternoon, Sarah approached Akua in the break room. “Hey,” she said hesitantly. “I just wanted to say thank you for helping me with that project last week. I know I haven’t been the easiest person to work with, and I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you.”
Akua was stunned. She had never expected an apology, but in that moment, she realized something important: Forgiveness wasn’t just about Sarah, it was about freeing her own heart from bitterness. By letting go of her grudge, Akua had made room for God’s love to flow, both in her life and in Sarah’s.
Akua learned that loving your neighbour, even when it’s hard, is one of the most powerful ways to reflect God’s character. It’s not about excusing someone’s behaviour or pretending the hurt didn’t happen. It’s about choosing to let go of revenge and trusting God to bring justice in His way and His timing.
Years later, Akua would tell this story to her Bacenta study group. “Forgiveness isn’t about the other person deserving it,” she said. “It’s about following God’s command to love, because He loved us first. When we let go of grudges, we free ourselves to live in peace and experience God’s joy.”
Heavenly Father, I pray for my reader who may be holding onto anger, hurt, or resentment. Remind them of Your command in Leviticus 19:18 to let go of grudges and choose love instead. Help them to forgive, even when it feels impossible, and to trust You to heal their heart. Show them the freedom and peace that comes from letting go of bitterness. Fill them with Your love so they can reflect it to others, even those who have wronged them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
