There was once a poor man who wanted to buy a home. After bargaining with the owner, they reached an agreement. The poor man could buy the house for half the price—under one condition: the original owner would keep ownership of a single nail over the doorway, and it could never be removed or touched.

Years passed, and the original owner wanted his house back, but the poor man refused to sell. So, the first owner hung the carcass of a dead dog on that single nail. When the poor man protested, the owner said, “That’s my nail—you can’t touch it.”

The dead carcass remained. Over time, the original owner continued to hang rotting things on that nail. The stench became unbearable, and the house became unlivable. Eventually, the poor man and his family were forced to sell the house back.

The Nail of Bitterness

This story is a vivid reminder of what can happen when we allow just a single “nail” in our hearts to remain. That nail can be something as small as an unresolved hurt, a bitter thought, or a grudge from the past. We may think we can manage it, but in reality, that one unresolved issue can become a foothold for the enemy to destroy the peace, joy, and life in our hearts.

When we hold onto bitterness or pain, we’re giving space for toxic thoughts to hang on, just like the rotting carcasses in the story:

• A nail that says, “I am not good enough.”
• A nail that says, “I am a victim.”
• A nail that says, “You’ll never understand what others have done to me.”

Soon, that bitterness starts to hang rotting emotions and behaviors on the nail—anger, resentment, jealousy, and hopelessness. Our hearts become “unlivable” as we are weighed down by these dead things that only bring destruction.

The Nails Jesus Took for Us

The good news is that Jesus took those nails for us. He bore the nails in His hands and feet so that we wouldn’t have to live with bitterness, pain, or unforgiveness. He offers us freedom from sin and the opportunity for a new beginning.

When we give Him everything in our hearts—the good and the bad—He doesn’t just leave us with the old hurts hanging around. Instead, He brings resurrection power into our lives. What was once broken can be restored, and what was dead can be brought to life again.

A New Beginning

The choice is ours. We can either hold onto that single nail of bitterness or surrender it all to Jesus. When we choose to release those past hurts and allow Him to take control, we are no longer held back by what once weighed us down. Instead, we find healing, freedom, and a fresh start.

Jesus has already done the hard work—He took the nails so that we could be free. All we have to do is let go of that one nail we’ve held onto for far too long.