The Weed of Resentment

Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.  

Job 5:2

When I was growing up, our family knew a lady who was very bitter and seemed to resent everything and everybody. In her opinion, everyone else had more than she did and received more blessings than she did. Of course, she was very unhappy. We visited her often, but the visits were not pleasant.

Resentment can be an ugly “weed” in our life garden. Resentment cuts sharp and deep into our lives. Resentful people seem to put all of their energy into snapping at others. It’s as though they put a curtain around themselves, blocking out sunshine and the good things in life. Resentful people carry very deep anger.

Resentment is like a cancer. It takes charge of our life. It keeps us chained to the past. It causes us to miss out on the grace of God.

Why do we harbor resentment against others? We need to sit down and think it through. Is this the life I really want to lead?

Resentment can definitely affect families. You probably know people who haven’t spoken to a certain relative in years. How sad! Families can be broken apart by resentment.

Resentment is a bitter root that embeds itself in our hearts. There is only one way to remove this bitter root. Call out to God and just bathe in His grace. God has the power to loosen the bitter roots within our spirit.

Don’t let this “weed” called resentment ruin your life. God’s grace can wash that resentment out of your life. Of course, we must realize and admit to God that we are harboring resentment.

It is not easy for us to search our hearts and admit that we are a slave to resentment. However, it is necessary.

Paul’s answer to these feelings is found in Ephesians 4:31-32: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling, slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Georgia Andrus