Harmful corrosion

I was listening to a retired senator speak about how bad the rhetoric has gotten in the political arena when I heard a gem of a comment from the upbeat-sounding 79 year old. It hit me right in the heart. When asked how he could remain so cordial and positive when so many bad things were said about him, he replied, "hatred always corrodes the vessel it is carried in. My momma taught me that". While I know that what he said is true, it doesn't seem fair. Why is that someone can intentionally hurt me and when my reaction is to carry a grudge, I am the one who suffers? It would seem fair if my grudge/resentment would somehow bring the villain down in some bad karma way!
Perhaps that is why forgiveness is so essential in walking through this life with victory. Jesus commanded us to forgive, and even said if we refuse to forgive then our Heavenly father won't forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15). That has always been a tough one for me. But having learned what forgiveness is and isn't, it makes perfect sense to me now. A bitter root, planted in an unforgiving spirit, blocks the flow of grace from reaching the soul. We cannot experience the peace of Christ when we allow bitterness, hatred, and resentment to dwell in us. We must keep the channel open so the grace can flow freely. The difficulty lies in the severity of the wound. Some things are just impossible to forgive-IN OUR OWN STRENGTH. That's when we must rely on power of the Holy Spirit that is ours through a relationship with God in Christ. Many people are confused about forgiveness. They think it is a feeling and since they don't feel it, they can't extend it.  Forgiveness is not just an event, but often a process, and sometimes a lengthy one. We must be willing to start the process, trusting that God will work through it and allow us to heal. Feelings follow obedience. By choosing to extend forgiveness to our perpetrator as often as needed, eventually we find ourselves walking in freedom and no longer bound to that person by our bitterness. An unforgiving spirit actually keeps us "connected" or "chained" to the offender and keeps us from moving past the event into healing and freedom. Jesus knew what He was talking about. Lord, help us to learn how to walk in forgiveness towards our fellow man and remain free to experience life to the max.