It’s Time to Budge on the Grudge – A Word by Elaine Rice

Elaine Rice

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It was one of those times when I just sat down in my favorite chair and was reaching for my laptop. You know those times that you seem to be minding your own business and suddenly the Lord drops something into your spirit in that still small voice. Oh, it would be easy to dismiss the sound as it’s so quiet, but we must be tuned in to hear His Voice even in the midst of chaos like wind, earthquake, or fire. (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Once in a while the Lord gives a word or phrase and I understand completely, but more often than not, He usually shares something that sends me on an adventure. I often feel it’s a relationship building exercise. He gives clues and I go on a treasure hunt to seek out what nugget of truth He is conveying.

Some of the adventures are short (minutes, hours, or even a day or two), but sometimes it’s like a quest – over a longer period of time (days, weeks, months, and even years). Often when I complete a particular assignment, I can sense His “proud Papa” moment in that His daughter “got it.”

Sometimes I know immediately that the word is a personal word and sometimes I sense it’s more for the body of Christ and they will often overlap.

As I was sitting in my favorite chair I heard, “It’s time to budge on the grudge.”

According to dictionary.com, a grudge is “a feeling of ill will or resentment.” I sensed the Lord saying that there are quite a few people in the body of Christ, even leaders, that are harboring ill feelings and resentment and it’s time to budge on the grudge.

It seems no matter where you turn – in a job, in the world, with our family and friends or even in church, there is much criticism and negativity in the air. God has given us the power and authority to change the atmosphere. Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Again, looking at dictionary.com, the word budge means “to move slightly; begin to move or to change one’s opinion or stated position; yield.” And I sensed the Lord saying it is time to begin the process of forgiveness. Yes, it is usually a process for deep-seated grudges, ill will, and resentment to be forgiven. Where do we start?

Matthew 5:44-45a gives us guidance on how to budge on that grudge in our lives: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

It all begins with a choice. Choose to pray for those who spitefully use you. Choose to pray for those who persecute you. Choose to do good to those who hate you. Choose to bless those who curse you. If you do these things, you truly begin to love your enemies. Does it happen overnight? Not usually, although nothing is impossible with God.

It’s time to budge on the grudge that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

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