There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t have the opportunity to be offended. We say our feelings are hurt; but in reality, our egos get bruised. Growing up on a farm, I knew that if I grabbed hold of an electric cattle fence I would get shocked. However, if I were wearing rubber boots, I was insulated and better protected from the pain. If we choose to grab hold of an offense, we will get stung by the pain of it. But if we insulate ourselves with forgiveness, we won’t feel the sting of the hurt feelings. Holding on to an offense short circuits our prayers, making them ineffective. Bitterness blocks the flow of grace when we refuse to forgive. Nothing is worth holding on to when doing so causes everyone involved to feel pain. Life’s short, and we’ll never get back the time spent playing the victim. Take charge of your life, forgive those who have hurt you, and bless those who have cursed you. After being beaten, spit upon, and crucified on a Cross, Jesus cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NIV). The same is true today. May we follow His example.