When we hold on to a grudge, we believe we’re protecting ourselves with it. In truth, we’re giving up something precious.
In A Course in Miracles, the section called “The Needless Sacrifice” addresses this directly.
Lesson 343 offers a line we can carry with us: “I am not asked to make a sacrifice to find the mercy and the peace of God.”
Here’s a truth I’ve had to face many times. No one would choose to let go of what she believes has value. So whatever we’re still clinging to, some part of us believes it’s valuable.
When we hold on to resentment, we’re valuing the meaning we’ve made of our experiences. We’re saying the story about who was right and who was wrong matters more than our peace. I used to treasure those stories. I was willing to trade my happiness to keep them with me at all times.
We sacrifice our happiness to keep a grievance alive.
That’s why the section is called “The Needless Sacrifice.” It’s needless because it brings us nothing we truly need. It’s a waste of energy.
Many of us believe that if we let go, others will take advantage of us. We also believe the people who hurt us must be punished. But no one escapes their own karma. There’s a divine justice, and we don’t need to know how it works. Who among us truly wants to be punished for our mistakes?
When we replay a hurt, we keep the shame alive. We keep the blame alive. We repeat the experience in our minds, our emotions, and sometimes our physical lives are affected. We’re doing it to ourselves.
Here’s what helps me. I ask the Higher Holy Spirit Self to show me where I’m sacrificing my happiness for a grievance. Then I choose again. The sacrifice isn’t needed, and it never was.
What would you like to let go of or expand into next year?
The next FREE Forgiveness Workshop is on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The topic is “Stop Missing Your Miracle.” Register at my.powerofloveministry.net/miracles
Would the support of a program like Masterful Living help you to realize your heart’s desire? I invite you to consider joining me in Masterful Living 2027 – registration is getting ready to open and the sooner you join, the more bonuses you get. We have so many bonuses including this workshop: Book a FREE Exploratory Call with a Quantum Counselor to get the answers any questions about Masterful Living or any of our programs.
LATEST PODCAST EPISODE: Putting Up With Them Isn’t Love In this episode of A Course in Miracles: Walking the Talk, Living the Love, I explore the codependent relationships that keep so many of us walking on eggshells. We give more, love harder, and keep the peace, and somehow the same dynamic comes right back. I’ve seen these bargains up close in the many relationships I’ve worked with over more than 25 years as a counselor. This conversation looks at what really keeps the pattern in place and what it would mean for the relationship to finally change.
