Day 189 - Resentment

Many people are driven by resentment and anger. They hold on to hurts and never get over them.

Instead of releasing their pain through forgiveness, they rehearse it over and over in ther minds.

Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent.

While your offender has probably forgotten the offense and gone on with life, you continue to stew in your pain, perpetuating the past.

Listen: Those who have hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now...unless you hold onto the pain through resentment. Your past is your past! Nothing will change it. You are only hurting yourself with your bitterness. For your own sake, learn from it...and then let it go.

The Bible says, "To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do."

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That's an excerpt from The Purpose Driven Life, Chapter 3, by Rick Warren. I couldn't have picked up this book at a better time. I really, really need to learn to move past the resentment I am feeling towards my husband because of the years I spent in a dysfunctional marriage.

A few close friends have comforted me through this time. They have offered me encouragement and scripture verses.

I know that there are many in this world who have suffered far worse than a dysfunctional marriage, so it stands to reason that if they can forgive and not hold resentment, then I should be able to do the same.

I am trying...

Lord, help me to let go of my resentment and move through my pain and on to joy again. In Jesus' name, Amen.

*** 2 Cor. 6:14: "Do not be partners with an unbeliever. For what do righteousness and evil have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness."