“It (love) is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”- 1 Corinthians 13:5-6
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”- Nelson Mandela
In Chapter 2 (“Letting Go of the Hurt”) of How Can I Possibly Forgive?, Sara Hor observes that when we resent other people, we become preoccupied with our own insecurities and get caught up in our personal inadequacies. Sara then presents Seven Habits of Highly Resentful People to help us identify what it looks like to be entrapped in a life of resentment. The first two habits are discussed today.
1. A highly resentful person never stops grumbling. Just like the Israelites in the wilderness, when we practice grumbling more grumbling surely will follow. Sara says that when grumbling becomes our default setting, we need to remember the words of St. Paul in Philippians 2:14-15a: “Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure.
2. A highly resentful person always seems to be offended by something. Sara notes that self-righteous thinking, feelings of superiority, snap judgments, and negative first impressions all are part of the I’m Offended package. We are more likely to be offended when we convince ourselves that we are sinless and deserving.
Today’s question: To what degree has resentment been a factor following your ministry downsizing or vocation loss? Please share.
Coming Wednesday: the new Short Meditation for Holy Week/Easter- “We all, like sheep”
Tomorrow’s blog: “Secure in Christ”
