Is there a person or persons in your life that have wronged you, such that you resent them? Does that resentment cause you to feel anger or hatred? Does it cause you to feel obsessed, stressed, chaotic, or tired? Has it caused you to lose peace and joy?

All these emotions are understandable. But have you become enslaved and imprisoned by these feelings? Wouldn't it be wonderful to feel free and joyful? It is possible to free yourself and fly unburdened like a bird. That freedom comes from forgiveness and letting go of the negative, gnawing feelings.

Cain was angry that God accepted Abel's sacrifice and not his own. Sarah resented Hagar after Ishmael was born. King Saul resented David for how much the people loved him. Job's wife resented God for allowing her children and assets to be tragically lost.

Jesus taught us about forgiveness. We say we believe in forgiveness, but do we actually practice it? The Lord's Prayer says, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." It is also not enough to forgive just once. Jesus says in the parable of the Unforgiving Servant that we are to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22), which implies as often as is needed.

Forgiving someone when they have caused harm or pain is a difficult thing to do, but in the Gospels we see Jesus setting an example. Jesus forgave those who crucified him, saying, "Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they do."

I personally have experienced the entrapment of resentment. I have felt all those negative feelings. I can't say I've mastered it yet, but I have come a long way in letting go of the harboring feelings that chained me down. 

God can heal resentment and bitterness if we let Him. He can heal our hearts, turn us to forgiveness of others, and lead us to trust in Him.

God bless you!

Elizabeth