Resentments

So, I want men everywhere to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from sin and anger and resentment.                                                                                                                                       I Timothy 2:8

I recently had a discussion with a client about her resentments. She said that periodically, she has a flare-up of resentment toward her son-in-law, who had hurt her daughter emotionally some years ago. She says that this is a burden she is tired of carrying. I recognized that this is an understandable response, but the fact that it bothers her says that she has not really given it up.  Perhaps she wants to dredge this up periodically in order to feel some control of her emotions. If she hangs onto it, she can drag it up at times to give vent to her “justified anger”. She has reserved the right to hold onto this resentment because she is “entitled to it”.  

All of this rang true to her. We discussed that perhaps considering the idea of giving up control of this entitled feeling- justified as it feels at times- might work to her benefit. She agreed that this is a matter of control. Could she give this to God, to control something that she cannot control anyway? Might this be a good idea?

She thinks so. I agree.  

It is not easy to give up resentments. Resentments linger because we feel entitled to them. Giving up control of those resentments to God is a process, but it is also a decision we need to make. Can God handle it better than we can? Do we feel freer when we give these things to God so that he can handle them.

Yes, and yes.

Prayer: Lord, help us to look at resentments we hold, and give them to you, Amen.