List of Grievances

Read Genesis 31:36–42

Reflection

Jacob had worked so hard for Laban, despite all of the ways he was treated unfairly. He may have tried to work through his feelings for the sake of keeping the peace in his family but, each time he was cheated, it would have been harder to keep the resentment from building. When, eventually, he was accused by Laban of the very thing he was trying to forgive his uncle for, Jacob let all the dirty laundry out.

When we hold on to our grievances, we risk having them come out all at once. You might understand a bit about holding onto a list of things that someone has done to you, big or small. It could be things your flatmate hasn’t cleaned up, the names your brother or sister has called you, the unfair expectations your boss has put on you, or being lied to multiple times by a friend. These things can happen over a few weeks, or many years, and make us feel disrespected and disregarded.

While getting things off your chest might make you feel better, judgment and retaliation will not. Scripture nudges us to be like Christ who “did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly” (1 Peter 2:23, NLT). God has seen your pain and irritation, and He is the One who will intervene. God appeared to Laban and defended Jacob. Leave it in God's Hands to judge fairly and put your attention and focus on healthier relationships.

Consider and Pray

What grievances are you holding on to? Pray for wisdom about when to let things go and when to confront them with that person. Pray that you can leave your case in the hands of God and trust in His fair judgment.