Resentment the Green-Eyed Monster

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15

Have you ever personally seen a green-eyed monster? I have. I bet you have too.

I’m guessing resentment is part of that bitter root mentioned in Hebrews 12:15. You know what I’m talking about. It’s mixed with anger, jealousy, maybe a dose of frustration, and a sprinkle of other negative emotions. We try to hide them, often stuffing them way down deep inside. They are like some man-made monster grown in a test tube in some musty hidden laboratory, selectively surfacing upon occasion revealing their ugly demeanor.

Resentment and its close partner anger go hand in hand, often crippling our relationships with family, friends, co-workers and perhaps even strangers. Left unattended it morphs, growing, aging and becoming so strong that it actually can manifest into physical ailments.

Ask questions of those who have been involved for years in healing ministries, and you will hear stories of people suffering for years with pain. Through discerning prayers or even deliverance ministry, the root cause sometimes may be identified as anger and resentment.

Have you ever thought about what can cause our resentment?

Agreements and understandings that are later disregarded, tossed by the wayside. Perhaps responsibilities that are not evenly shared. Time passes and memories of what was previously hoped for floats to the surface of your mind. It can lead to anger, resentment and frustration. Healthy boundaries are ignored, and people may feel taken for granted.

How do we overcome these obstacles?

Self-examination requires looking at the condition of our heart, deciding if you are ready to release them. To be brutally honest as we look at ourselves. Are you ready, or are you holding on tight? After all, you may believe you have a really good reason for feeling the way you do. You may think you earned the right to feel this anger and resentment.

As you pray asking for discernment to identify these areas, what action should you take? What do you feel God is calling you to do? Confess and ask God for forgiveness? Apologize to someone? Have a much needed but hard conversation? What if the person is no longer alive? Do you write them a letter pouring out your thoughts?

Life can be hard enough without carrying the extra added burden of emotional baggage like resentment. I have known people who have carried a pile of heavy emotions for many years, dwelling frequently on a specific incident or hurt. Personally, I don’t want to be carrying that additional weight. I want freedom. I want my heart to be clear, with no regrets. I want to be able to navigate what time I have left on this earth without all of those senseless shackles. Don’t you?

The argument you had with that co-worker, the misunderstanding with your spouse, the tense words exchanged with a neighbor, or hurtful words spoken to a child; all can fester and be blown out of proportion becoming resentments.

It is time to simply examine your heart.

Today is your day to choose forgiveness, to let go of the anger and resentment you’ve been carrying around for too long. I know you want to be free. As you are reading these words, you are thinking how much you want healing and wholeness in your life. This is how you start. We can do this together.

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to guide us. Sit quietly and listen for God’s voice. He wants to speak to you. He loves you and wants to offer you words of forgiveness and grace.

Lord Jesus, we ask you to use the power of your Holy Spirit to reveal to each of us, what resentments we might hold inside our hearts. You know the burdens we carry. Soften our hearts to forgive that we may live in the freedom that you, and only you can provide. Please pour out your healing and restore our hearts, minds and bodies. Amen.