Scripture

For the godless are full of resentment. Even when He punishes them, they refuse to cry out to Him for help.

~Job 36:13, NLT

Quote

Resent is like drinking poison and praying for someone else to die.

~True Source Unknown

Resentment stems from a perceived injustice. If someone hurt you when you were a child, especially if you were in a helpless position {like a small child watching their parents separate and go different ways}, it plants the seed of resentment which is a seething anger that we struggle to keep covered. The only way we can get victory over resentment is to acknowledge that we have a problem. I will not lie, I have struggled with resentment all of my life. If resentment is not dealt with properly, it will mature into pure bitterness. We all know people that you cannot mention certain other people without them exploding. The down side is–no one likes or wants to hang out with bitter people. This is why we all need a good Christian counselor. We need to talk with someone about our resentment so that it does not mature into bitterness.

One thing that helps me is to understand that everyone has been treated unfairly at one time or the other. Everyone is a victim of injustice. It is not a racial thing, it is a human thing. I was made fun as a child for being poor, unkept, and a cry baby. I try not to make fun of children because this can create serious problems for them. They will never forget the humiliation they feel when others, especially adults make fun of them. This is a part of growing up; most of us get made fun of at some time or the other. I don’t know at the people who feel that they were mistreated by someone in their childhood and adolescent years. Someone told me the other day that they got cut from the basketball team in high school. Years later the coach apologized to him and said, “I made a mistake, I should not have cut you.” The man’s response, “That is no comfort to me now.” He was already convinced that the coach acted unfairly and had suffered years of deep resentment. If everyone would be honest, we all have similar story. As Scar said on Lion King, “Life is not fair.”

It is true that some have more to overcome than others but all of us got some bumps and bruises growing up and even after we became adults. The key is not to give in to the feelings of resentment. I have a wonderful Counselor. He is very understanding and He actually doesn’t mind listening to my tedious confessions. I highly recommend Him. By the way, He doesn’t charge. If you are feeling resentment, get with Him and tell Him all about it. Confessing to Him will be the first step of recovery.

Extra

Walking to the building today, I felt like I was in Scotland, thick fog and mist and very pleasant temperatures. I can handle it. It beats the heck out of a heat wave. God is good and I thank Him for His grace and mercy. His mercy in unfathomable. It seems like I keep diving deeper and deeper and I have not found bottom yet. His mercy and grace are real to me.

If everyone was like me the NFL would be in trouble. I could not get interested in the game. I pulled for San Fran but I never sat down and watched. I didn’t even know the final score until this morning. Unless my grand kids are playing, I care very little about sports. To be honest with you, I hate soccer but I love Josie. I guess it’s like God hating our sin but loving us. What is unreal about this sports thing is–I was a fanatic 40 years ago. It is not holiness or righteousness, I have just lost interest. Someone was picking at me about the Auburn/Alabama basketball game last Wednesday night and I told them, “I am not watching. I had just soon see an ant eat a bale of hay.” I was not lying. I did not watch a single minute.

Have a great Monday and thanks for reading the blog. My prayers for all the 40 hour a week folks. Retirement is great, you will love it. Thanks for taking the time to read the blog.