I DECIDED A FEW days ago that I never wanted to waste any of my time hanging on to bitterness or un-forgiveness.

While serving at a conference I had a few encounters with people where things became a little inconvenient for whatever reason and I became the object of their frustration. They were upset at their circumstances or at something that I asked them to do and it their bitterness was totally obvious.

So that got me thinking about my own life. How easy it is to let little things become so big …

“I was told that if I came early I’d get in sooner than my appointment. What do you mean I’m going to have to wait?”

“Why is this guy driving so slow? It’s the pedal on the right!”

“Fine, I’ll scoot over but you ought to know that this is a huge inconvenience for me. I had my bookbag right where I wanted it and now I have to move it. Way to quench the Spirit.”

All these little instances that really don’t matter but I make them into a big deal. I want people to know that gosh darnit’ you’ve stepped on my toes. You have seriously inconvenienced me. You didn’t act the way I wanted you to. You didn’t do what you should have to make my life the way I want it.

It sounds so silly but it’s true. It’s so easy to let lots of little circumstances add up and then we get more and more upset with each one.

My solution: try to be slow to anger. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Just let it go. I’m going to live forever right? Why spoil my life in the age to come by getting bitter and harboring unforgiveness? It’s a bigger waste of time than what I’ve already been inconvenienced.