Friday: Day 21

Luke 5:21-23: Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?”

Over the years of pastoring large and smaller churches, I know that forgiveness and healing are two huge issues that cause people a lot of concern and anxiety.


But I’ve also seen an underlying issue that’s more pervasive and insidious and damaging to people’s lives and their faith.

It’s the issue of resentment.

Resentment is the cause of a sickness of the soul and ill health in personal relationships. Resentment is a feeling that we feel we can justifiably have when someone “did us wrong” or toward someone who hurt us or our loved ones. It’s the feeling that comes over us when we remember the person that wrongly gossiped about us, or got the promotion that we deserved. Sometimes we think that hanging on to the pain of the past will keep us safe from being hurt in the future, and that hanging on to resentments is something of which we just don’t want to rid ourselves. And we often don’t realize that by hanging on to resentments we sink deeper and deeper into a sickness of the soul where the more resentments we have, the more and more of your soul will die.

Resentments have power over people. And because they do, resentment becomes a double whammy. There’s first the hurt over something that was done, and then resentment sets in and festers and gains power over you. Resentments have power over people.

Until we ask ourselves an empowering question: “Who is in control here? Who is in control of my anxiety? Who is in charge of the way I feel? Who is in control here?”

Frederick Nietzsche once said that nothing on earth consumes a person more completely than the passion of resentment.

You’re in control of your feelings resentments. If you feel anxious, it’s because you are allowing yourself to feel anxiety. If you are feeling hatred, it’s because you are allowing yourself to feel hatred. If you resent those who are your enemies and those who persecute you, you are allowing yourself to feel that resentment.

The real problem with resentments is that they don’t allow us to forgive. Resentments don’t allow us to heal. Jesus asked, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?”

Today consider this: You are the only one who can let go of your resentments. You are the only one who can control your emotional health because you alone are responsible for it. Your emotional health is something you can’t “outsource” to another person.


When you let go of resentments you’re well on your way to forgiveness and healing. That’s what Jesus wants for you. It’s an important step toward forgiveness and wholeness.


Are you willing to let go of resentments for forgiveness and wholeness?

Questions to Ponder:

•  · What are three things that you most resent; three things that stir up resentment every time you think of them?
• · Do you agree that letting go of resentments is an important step toward forgiveness and wholeness? Why or why not?

Prayer for Today: Lord Jesus, you know me completely, and you know if I hold resentment and bitterness in my heart. I ask you for the grace to release this hurt, and the strength to forgive. Bring me wholeness. And bring me closer to your will and your way for my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I love this video.  It shows what can happen in overcoming obstacles and releasing anger about things that people have done to us, like the young deaf and mute violin player did with the young piano player.  It's awesome.  You can shine.