Resentment can be a very real part of life. Yet the Bible warns, \u201cResentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple\u201d (Job 5:2). Paul admonishes that \u201cthe Lord\u2019s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful\u201c (2 Timothy 2:24). It\u2019s far easier said than done! Our first step toward being people filled with grace and peace (1 Peter 1:2) is to train our hearts to see the warning signs that resentment is building within us.<\/p>\n
Certain \u201cred flags\u201d indicate that we may be heading for trouble.<\/p>\n
Do you have a desire to lash back, to retaliate?<\/strong> Do you need to prove you are right? <\/strong> Do you find yourself \u201cchewing\u201d on a feeling as if it were a cud?<\/strong> Letting go of resentment is something we need to do for our own peace of mind\u2013and to improve our relationship with God. As people of faith we can\u2019t afford to get stuck blaming others for our unhappiness. Even when others have done wrong, we\u2019re called upon to examine our hearts and to respond to others in love.<\/p>\n So how do we get started? Try these four tips rooted in God’s word to help you let go of grudges and bitterness and find forgiveness.<\/p>\n 1. When you\u2019re hurt, allow yourself to feel hurt.<\/strong> 2. Take a brisk walk. <\/strong> 3. Focus on what kind of person you want to be.<\/strong> 4. Extend peace to the other person.<\/strong> Resentment can be a very real part of life. Yet the Bible warns, \u201cResentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple\u201d (Job 5:2). Paul admonishes that \u201cthe Lord\u2019s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful\u201c (2 Timothy 2:24). It\u2019s far easier said than done! Our […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":30408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[396],"tags":[197,49,248,14,72,80],"ppma_author":[639],"class_list":["post-23534","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-deepen-your-faith","tag-motivational-stories","tag-peace","tag-scripture","tag-spiritual-growth","tag-stories-of-faith","tag-stories-of-hope"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nBut God doesn\u2019t give us permission to harm anyone, either with words or actions. He commanded, \u201c\u2019Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself\u2019\u201d (Leviticus 19:18).<\/p>\n
\nWe mortals don\u2019t like it at all when we sense that others think we\u2019re wrong or foolish; often we resent others because they have wounded our pride. Beware! \u201cPride brings a person low\u201d says Proverbs 29:23.<\/p>\n
\nWhen we get so stuck thinking about our feelings that we can\u2019t disengage, we are no longer able to follow Paul\u2019s advice to \u201cBe kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you\u201d (Ephesians 4:32). <\/p>\n
\nSay out loud, away from the hearing of others, what it is exactly that hurts. \u201cI feel hurt that she looked down on me\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m hurt that he didn\u2019t care enough to listen.\u201d Then offer the feeling to Christ, who knows oh-so-well what it is to feel pierced. \u201cMy flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever\u201d (Psalm 73:26).<\/p>\n
\nBurn off some of the emotion so that your head is clearer. Scripture tells us that, \u201cAnyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness\u201d (1 John 2:11). We can frequently step out of that darkness with a bit of vigorous exercise. If you pray while you walk, all the better!<\/p>\n
\nWill you let resentment get in the way? Review the list of qualities of a Christian in 2 Peter 1:5-7, and see if your feelings are compatible with them. If not, ask the Lord to show you how to reconcile your hard feelings with your desire to serve Him.<\/p>\n
\nYou don\u2019t have to do this out loud, but you do<\/em> have to do it in your heart. If that seems impossible, pray Psalm 29:11 with a twist, \u201cLord give strength to this person who hurt me; Lord bless this person with peace.\u201d You can\u2019t go wrong praying for the good of others!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"