By Peter Kennedy
“Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, ‘The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.’” – Genesis 27:41
In 1933, Bette Davis was a rising young actress. She starred in the comedy “Ex-Lady” and it was the first movie to feature her name above the title. Warner Brothers had planned an elaborate publicity campaign announcing Davis's new phase of stardom. But coincidently it was the day that actress Joan Crawford announced her divorce from actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The New York Times relegated Davis's film to a small paragraph in the Review section, while devoting several pages to Crawford's news, and other papers followed suit. “Ex-Lady” was dropped from theaters after a week due to poor ticket sales, and Davis's grudge with Crawford was born.
Over the next 44 years, the two women fought over men, movie roles, dresses, and just about everything else.
When Joan Crawford died in 1977, Bette Davis continued to hold a grudge. She was attributed to saying: "You should never say bad things about the dead, you should only say good… Joan Crawford is dead. Good."
The only person hurt by grudges is the one carrying them. Today in prayer, confess any hurt to the Lord and forgive those who have hurt you.
“To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one fee.” – William H. Walton
God’s Word: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:18
Overcast, 61°