What are the effects of holding a grudge?

When someone wrongs us and we choose to hold on to the resulting negative emotion, we are holding a grudge. Grudges result in anger, resentment, and bitterness.  Many people think holding a grudge or staying angry at someone is not a problem, but medical research increasingly demonstrates the negative effect it has on our physical and emotional health.

Holding a grudge often results in:
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• Anger and bitterness poisoning new relationships and experiences
• Being so wrapped up in the issue of the past that you can't enjoy the present
• Suffering from depression or anxiety
• Feeling that your life lacks meaning or purpose
• Finding connecting with or trusting others very difficult
• Allowing negative experiences to cloud future decisions
• Subscribing to mindsets of limitation

Holding grudges, gives control of our lives to someone else.  They have the capacity to impact our daily life, without having any contact with us.  And by holding on to the grudge, we freely give them that power.

What are the benefits of forgiving?

On the other hand, letting go of grudges and bitterness makes way for happiness, health and peace. Walking through the forgiveness process in all its elements will enable you to take back control of your life, and open up new horizons. 

​Letting go will also have a tremendous impact on our physical and emotional health.`Medical science shows us that forgiveness can have the following effects:

"As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead
​to my freedom

I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind,
​I'd still be in prison."

Nelson Mandela