Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Rudy Tomjanovich was an NBA All-Star whose career was effectively ended by one punch. As he sprinted toward a scuffle during a basketball game, another player, Kermit Washington, whirled around and hit him—hard.

The blow almost killed Rudy, and he retired soon afterward.

You may be able to think of an event like that in your life where things said or done to you in the heat of the moment affected you for a long time. They’ll continue to overwhelm your life if you allow bitterness to fester in your heart. The only way to find healing is through forgiveness.

Here’s what Rudy said about the player who threw that punch. “Someone once told me that hating Kermit would be like taking poison and hoping someone else would die.”

Perhaps you’ve been taking poison—dwelling on hurts you’ve received. You can find healing through choosing forgiveness.

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.