Resentment that turns to bitterness creates chemical changes. It is like a spiritual cancer that inwardly eats away. It causes a corrosive acid to drip down upon our brain’s neuro connective pathways, and begins to destroy our health from within.
How many times have you felt fatigued? It could be rooted in emotional turmoil from a negative inner dialogue. The things that are hidden in our heart, constantly seep into our present thought processes.
We are created to glorify him (Isaiah 43:7) but hidden sin hinders our fellowship with the Lord. It taints our witness so that we do not represent the Lord as he designed us to. Ephesians 4:31 says, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”
Romans 13:12, 14 says, “Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light… put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.”
Hidden sin, like buried resentments, makes provision for our flesh. Pride rules our hearts so that we do not humbly submit to the authority of God’s Word. There is only one who is to be enthroned in our hearts - Jesus as Lord.
The fruit of resentment is a grumbling spirit. The opposite is a heart that is full of praise and thanksgiving. Psalm 146:1-2 says, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”
Praise and thanksgiving will instantly uproot any thought of resentment from being fruitful.
Lord Jesus, redeem my heart. Help me not to harbor bitterness and to instead praise you for who you are. Forgive me for allowing sin to rule my heart. I give you my whole self today. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Throughout this Day: Let us cultivate a heart that glorifies him by confessing our resentments as sin.
This is an excerpt that was adapted from Overcoming Resentment and republished with permission from the author.
Photo Credit: Nadine Shaabana