There’s an old saying that no matter how long you nurse a grudge, it won’t get better. It reminds me of an American wildlife expert who claimed that a rattlesnake, if cornered, will sometimes become so angry it will bite itself. Someone else remarked that that is exactly what happens when we harbour resentment; it’s like biting ourselves. We think that we are directing our bitterness against the people we dislike, not realizing that the deeper harm is to ourselves.

A modern translation of the Book of Proverbs in the Bible says, ‘Better a bread crust shared in love than a slab of prime rib served in hate.’ But what if want to get rid of bitterness but don’t seem able to do it? Well, my experience is that Jesus was right when he said, ‘Pray for those who treat you badly’; and you’ll be healed too.