Resentment

“Resentment is like taking poison and hoping the other person dies.” 
― Augustine of Hippo

According to the dictionary, resentment means having bitterness, animosity, and malice. I think in this world it is easy to hold on to resentment; to never forget how someone has hurt you. But we are not allowed to do this.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." Ephesians 4:31

"But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic."
 James 3:14,15

"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

As the verse above says, your bitterness can "defile many."  When we feel bitter, we talk about it to others. We tell them how this or that person hurt us. We turn others against that person. We bring in disharmony and disrespect.

Forgiveness is so beautiful when put next to bitterness. Forgiveness brings a smile and happiness to others and also to ourselves. Forgiveness is not always easy - but it is always magnificent. 

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” 
― C.S. Lewis

Don't Be Bitter!

In the book, Get Over It and On With It, by Michelle McKinney Hammond, she writes about the attitude of Joseph. She notes that when he was sold as a slave he was so good at his job he was put in charge of the whole house. Then

She writes, "Imagine what would have happened had Joseph remained disgruntled and performed his duties with an attitude of forced obligation. We would never have heard how his story ended. He would have been written off as a mal-contented slave, never entrusted with more than menial tasks."

"Our position in life does not define our character. How we handle our position does." Joseph made the best of a terrible situation. He must have been cheerful, willing to work hard, and honest. When he was thrown in prison for a crime he didn't commit, he acted in the same way and was given the job of looking after the prison.

She also pointed out that it was because he was in prison that he met the King - the Pharaoh of Egypt. Had he not been there no one in court would have known he could interpret dreams by God's power.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego also rose to power in a foreign country because they had the right attitude. They were taken away from their homes and families. They could have been bitter and angry at the King of Babylon. Instead, they made the best of a bad situation and were given important jobs.

"Excellence begets respect..."  Ms. Hammond writes, and it is true.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matt. 5:16

Bitter or Better?

I read a book long ago about trusting God when you have troubles. I don't remember the book, but I found some notes I made while reading it. Here they are:

1. Don't have bitterness in your soul because God hasn't done what you expected him to do.

2. Do not despise your problems.

3. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. He does that with us.

4. Worship God in the wilderness.

5. Do not despise the water God gives you and go dig your own well to drink from.

6. Love God for who he is, not for what he does for you.

7. God has a different plan for everyone.

8. Remember Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are not offended by me.

9. You can become bitter or better. You can go under or go onward.

10. You are not alone.