April 10, 2005
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
GETTING RID OF RESENTMENT
Many of us live chained to resentment towards someone who has been mean to us in the past. We carry our grudges along like a chain, and we vehemently repeat, “I will never forgive him, or her, for that.”
Someone who thought like that was a police officer named Herman. As he was carrying on his work duties in the streets of the city, Herman frequently had to make very tough decisions in fractions of seconds that involved his and other people’s personal security.
Every day, when he came back to the police station, he had to give a report of his daily activities, arrests, and decisions to his superior officer. To top Herman’s problems, his superior officer criticized him constantly, which fostered deep resentments as Herman was waiting for the right moment to take revenge for all the abuse he had been coping with.
However, with God’s help, Herman decided to put on an attitude of patience instead of anger to face his superior’s criticisms. His boss became less tough and began to be less severe with him. Finally, they learned to work as a team and respect each other.
All of us who trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior who died in our place are now free from God’s wrath and the eternal punishment that we deserve. As we look this way at the cross on which Jesus died, it will act as the saw that God will use to break down the chains of the resentments that are wrapping around our lives.
Herman’s faith in Christ’s care for him changed his actions. And, Herman received his salvation, being confident of God’s forgiveness. Jesus guided him to forgive his boss. You can also forgive any offense as you humbly receive God’s forgiveness in Christ.
God has made us free through His Son, Jesus Christ, and has made it very clear that there is no need for dragging around the chains of hostility and resentment. God, in His great love, granted us His forgiveness, His hope, and His security to have peace with Him, with ourselves, and with other people.
Dear God, remind me always that Your love and forgiveness through Christ is always the greatest thing in my life, so that I may overcome any resentments I may hold towards anyone else. Amen.
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