When Poison Turns to Purpose

Disclaimer: I couldn't stop writing. Please forgive me. 

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)

Life is full of moments where pain strikes unexpectedly, much like the bite of a snake. Imagine this: you’re bitten. The venom begins its work, coursing through your body. Your instinct should be to seek immediate healing, to cleanse the wound, to stop the spread. But instead, you drop everything to chase the snake. Your mind becomes consumed: Why did it bite me? What did I do to deserve this? You shout to the snake, “Look at me! See my pain!” hoping for an apology, an explanation, or even recognition.

But the snake slithers away, unaware—or uncaring—of your agony. Meanwhile, the venom spreads. The pain worsens. And you, in your pursuit of answers, lose sight of what truly matters: healing.

When someone wounds us—be it through betrayal, rejection, or cruelty—our immediate reaction is often to seek justice, validation, or closure. If only they understood how much they hurt me, then I could heal. This lie holds us hostage. We hand over control of our well-being to the very person who caused our pain. And in doing so, we drink the poison of unforgiveness, believing it will somehow punish them.

Unforgiveness is like a slow-acting toxin. It clouds our mind, saps our strength, and chains us to the past. The deeper we dwell on the “why,” the further we stray from the “how”—how do I move forward?

The longer you hold onto it, the more you end up hurting yourself. Forgive not for them. Forgive for ourselves. This doesn’t mean we condone the hurt. It means we choose peace over pain, growth over grudges, and yes! Life over death.

Forgiveness is not about letting the snake off the hook. It’s not about pretending the bite didn’t hurt or excusing the wrong done to you. Forgiveness is a radical act of self-love. It is saying: I refuse to let this pain define me. I choose to heal.

When Jesus taught us to forgive, He wasn’t blind to the reality of human pain. He knew forgiveness was as much about freedom for the forgiver as it was about mercy for the forgiven. Forgiveness stops the poison from spreading. It reclaims your power and restores your peace.

Holding onto anger, resentment, or bitterness is exhausting. It impacts our mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and even physical illness. Choosing forgiveness doesn’t mean you condone the hurt—it means you prioritize your well-being.

But forgiveness is not a one-time act; it is a process. Some days, you may feel the sting of the bite all over again. That’s okay. Healing takes time. Each time you release the anger, each time you pray for strength to let go, you’re taking one step closer to wholeness.

What if the healing you seek isn’t found in chasing answers but in nurturing your soul? What if instead of asking, Why did they hurt me? you asked, What can I learn from this? How can I grow stronger?

God, the Great Physician, invites us to bring our wounds to Him. He doesn’t promise we’ll always get explanations, but He promises healing. He promises peace. The psalmist reminds us, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). But He can’t begin that work if we’re still chasing the snake.

The snake’s bite doesn’t have the final say—your choice to heal does. Let go of the chase. Seek the Healer. Choose life.

-Jermy Arnold