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 Permanent Anger or Depression Be Caused by Grief?

It’s doubtful that everything we desire can be realized. Failures come at some level in every stage of life. We must keep this in mind so failure and depression will not dominate a normal life. Job 5:7 tells us "man is born for trouble as surely as the sparks fly upward from a fire."

Isaiah 53 describes Jesus as being “oppressed, afflicted, and led as a  lamb to the slaughter”, so even God’s Son was not exempt from trouble and sorrow. The lesson we learn is that there’s a purpose in our grief and suffering. If we remain hopeful, we will receive from our troubles insight for living.

Unfortunately, we can become preoccupied with resentment and anger toward others and God. Job managed his troubles by talking to God, sometimes blaming, sometimes challenging, but acknowledging him as his Redeemer, Counselor, and friend. When trouble comes, ask God to help you experience his comfort and confidence, his joy and peace.

                 

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O my soul, why be so gloomy and discouraged? Trust in God! I shall again praise him for his wondrous help; he will make me smile again, for he is my God!

~Psalm 43:5 The Living Bible

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