Take a potato and write on it the name of a person who has offended you, causing you to feel angry, upset, slandered, embarrassed, belittled, etc. Do this for every person who has done something against you that you have never forgiven.

When you have finished, gather all your potatoes together and place them in a bag. Keep this bag with you at all times. Take it to work, take it to lunch and take it with you everywhere you go. Have it with you at home.

How long will it take you to become weary of carrying this burden around? How long will it take the potatoes to sprout, then rot, fester and smell?

Wouldn't it be great to be free from the weight, stench and constant reminder of hurt feelings, disappointment, heartache and anger? By hanging onto things that are unpleasant, we create more anguish for ourselves. When you forgive someone, you free yourself from an oppressive load of negativity. Forgiveness allows you to create peace in your life.

Every one of us has been offended or upset with someone at one time or another. How long have we carried around the oppressive heavy burden, developed hardness of the heart and just didn't let it go? It usually doesn't bother the person who caused you to be offended as much as it hurts you to continually be obsessing over the offense. Not being forgiving can cause you physical, emotional and spiritual stress. This is a good lesson you can teach your children too.

The "Lord's Prayer" in Matthew 6 is quoted often as the example of how we are to pray. Verse 12 reads, "And forgive us our debts [sins], as we forgive our debtors." Verses 14 and 15 read, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you forgive men not their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Another set of scriptures we often quote is called the "Beatitudes" in Matthew 5:3-11. Verse 7 reads, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Ask God in prayer to show you how to forgive and show mercy to others. It's not always the easiest thing to do, but it's the godly principle we have to do in order to become more like our Father and Jesus Christ.