Is Compassion a Match for Resentment?

Resentment has little or no capacity for compassion because its main objective is to punish and inflict suffering. Resentment and anger are difficult subjects to discuss openly because they imply weakness rather than the shrewd strength a person desires to demonstrate.

Anger and resentment lead to experiences that are difficult to justify. The danger of hoarding resentment is that it tends to harden the heart against the truth. Frustration turns into resentment as personal power erodes. Resentment blocks sympathy and compassion for whomever is the object of its forceful power.

A mother described how she was convinced her daughter made a mistake in her choice of a young man to marry. Her dislike grew into resentment that soured her relationship with her daughter. With God’s help she began to earnestly pray for her son-in-law, which eventually enabled her to replace the resentment with compassion, a sure cure for resentment. 

           

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To conclude: You must all have the same attitude and the same feelings; love one another, and be kind and humble with one another.

~1 Peter 3:8 Good News Bible

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Can You Conquer Anger?

Anger is responsible for as much heartache and trouble as is any other emotion. While anger by itself is not a bad emotion, behaviors linked to it become the issue. There are individuals who continuously need to be in control of others and their environment, to the extent of utilizing anger to maintain that control.

Anger becomes destructive when persons possessing it believe they are justified in punishing another person or object. What drives anger is feeling threatened in ways apparent only to those who perceive themselves as vulnerable. So what can prevent anger from becoming reactive and out of control?

Immediately ask yourself, “What am I doing? Does God approve of  what I am compelled to do?” Assess the consequences of what you’re thinking. Listen to Romans 12:21. “Do not let evil get the best of you but conquer evil by doing good.” Pray that God will bless whoever is the object of your anger. 

                      

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But I tell you to … pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven.

~Matthew 6:44-45 Contemporary English Version

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A New Year of Hope: Lay a New Foundaton with Prayer

 As we approach the coming New Year, what do you desperately want to leave behind that’s been a detriment to your peace and joy? It’s interesting how hurt feelings, anger, and hatred tenaciously cling to us emotionally and refuse to be discarded from our memory.

Building a new foundation for peace and joy cannot be accomplished where resentments are active or deeply buried in our subconscious where they have the tendency to pop up unexpectedly. One way to quiet old memories attached to resentments is to ask God to bless in specific ways those who hurt and wounded you so severely.

Praying for these people each day, or several times a day as the Holy Spirit sparks your memory, will bring about permanent healing and peace in your heart, mind, and spirit. Yes, it takes courage to do this systematically because you have to rebuff every justification for remaining resentful. But remember, Christ in you is greater than he, Satan, who is in the world.  

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Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.

~Romans 12:12 Contemporary English Version

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Flames of Jealousy

Saying jealousy is a strong emotion is like saying water will quench thirst. Solomon's Song of Songs describes jealousy as "unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” Even children use it to provoke anger or tears. Adults use it to try to reignite sagging interest in a relationship.

Jealousy can surface uninvited. A friend or colleague gets a promotion to a prestigious position. You smile, offer congratulations, but jealousy flows with a vengeance. To combat jealousy, force yourself to face the truth. Your colleague is better suited for the job. Her personality qualified her for the position.

As I accept the truth, the freer I become to let go of jealousy. When I pray sincerely for God to bless someone with success and make myself rejoice in their good fortune, the greater are my chances of finding inner peace. Warm, affectionate love and godly affirmations douse the flames of jealousy.