Alisin na ninyo ang lahat ng sama ng loob, poot at galit; huwag na kayong mambubulyaw, manlalait at mananakit ng damdamin ng kapwa. Sa halip, maging mabait kayo at maawain; magpatawad kayo sa isa’t isa tulad ng pagpapatawad sa inyo ng Diyos dahil kay Cristo.

Mga Taga-Efeso 4:31–32

Makakalimutin ka ba? Nakaka-frustrate minsan when we try to recall something but our memory fails us. As we get older, many of us worry about cognitive abilities. Pero ang totoo, normal part of aging ang mild or age-related forgetfulness. 

While many people complain about their declining memory, there is one type of forgetfulness that might actually be good: forgetting grudges.

There are people who hold on to grudges forever. Take the case of 50-year-old Melanie. Hanggang ngayon, bitbit pa rin niya ang galit dahil halos mag-isa niyang tinapos ang group project nila nung high school. During their reunion, nagkita-kita sila ng mga dating groupmates niya. When they said hi to her at kinumusta siya, her first words to them were, “Mabuti na lang naka-graduate tayo ‘no, kahit hindi ninyo ako tinulungan sa project natin noon.” 

It’s sad how people can hold on to small grudges, and for so long! For Melanie, it was 35 years ago when she was offended pero in her heart, parang kahapon lang ito nangyari.

We can take the advice  the Apostle Paul gave to the Ephesians on how we should relate with others. He was straight to the point when he said, “Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives” (Ephesians 4:31, TLB). But why? What should our motivation be? His message continues, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ” (v. 32).  

Napatawad ka na ng Diyos. It’s time to be “forgetful” and let go of the grudges that are squeezing the love and peace out of your heart.