GRINCHES AND GRUDGES

          What little I know about The Grinch who stole Christmas has now been expanded significantly.  When my wife and a friend returned from the the theater the other day, I asked, “What was the Grinch's problem anyway?".  Was this heart two sizes too small thing just a euphemism for saying that the Grinch was messed up psychologically?  What was his real problem - - why was he so angry with the Whos down in Whoville? 

          We all know a few people who tend to be “grinchy”.  With some it is much more than an anti-Christmas sentiment, it’s a habitually contrary and cranky spirit, driven by an inner insecurity that causes them to harbor ill will and resentment towards others, regardless of the season.  With-out the credentials to do actual psychiatric analysis one might simply declare these folks as A GRINCH WITH A GRUDGE.  This is what “nursing your wounds" looks like:  since I’ve been hurt I shall seek to hurt others in return.  If we could only erase the grudges we might eliminate the grinches.  Is it not that continual percolation of ill will that ends up creating a grinch in the first place?  

          It may well be that holding a grudge is one of the oldest of sins.  Cain was eaten up by “the applause" given to his brother Abel, and his grudge festered into fratricide (Gen.4:1-15).  In the book of the Law of the Lord articulated by Moses the prophet, one can read quite plainly (Lev.19:18):

you shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people.

                                                                                                                            Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ