Resentment Is a Killjoy

“Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.”

Hebrews 12:15 (TLB)

Nothing destroys a relationship faster than resentment. 

We hurt each other in relationships, sometimes intentionally and often unintentionally. Either way, the result is conflict and hurt feelings. It’s a fact of life. What you do with that hurt determines whether you’re joyful or miserable. 

You’ve probably heard someone say, “I just don’t love him anymore. I just don’t have any feelings for her anymore.” That’s a sign that resentment is involved because resentment eats up emotional energy. You resent the fact that they hurt you, and eventually you have no emotional energy left and feel empty inside. Resentment says, “I won’t forgive you.” Resentment is a killjoy in relationships. 

You may feel cheated in a relationship. You’re thinking, “This is not what I expected.” The fact is that any relationship, including marriage, is built on two very imperfect people trying to work on issues together. If you expect perfection and don’t work on your unrealistic expectations, you’re going to lose your joy. 

If you hang on to resentment, it will always hurt you more than anyone else. Resentment is self-destructive and counterproductive. It doesn’t just hurt your human relationships, it also infects your relationship with God. 

Resentment is like a weed—the longer you wait to deal with it, the more work it will take to uproot it. Start early when resentment is just a seed! 

Ultimately, when you refuse to forgive others, you are only hurting yourself. 

November 19 from Open Doors: A Year of Devotions