Resentment Kills a Fool

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Question: Who do you think resentment hurts more, you, or the person you resent? If you answered “You,” you answered correctly. Holding on to resentment hurts you more than others. Because of that, resentment makes no sense; it is counter productive and self-destructive. 

If anyone had a reason to be resentful, it was Job, a godly man who had, but lost, everything. But Job was a wise man. He knew the destructive nature of resentment and refused to give in to its pull. 

How about you? Can you look back and see the silly, hurtful things you did when you gave in to resentment? “I’ll get even with him/her.” You probably said that at one time or another, and then found a ridiculous way to make it happen. 

I remember an episode of The Three Stooges. Mo and Curly were at it, and Mo kept hitting Curly on the chest. When Mo left the room, Curly said, “I’m going to get even with that guy. I’ll show him.” What did he do? He strapped a stick of dynamite to his chest and said, “The next time he hits me, it’s going to blow his hand off.” You can do some pretty stupid things when you are overcome with resentment!

The problem is, resentment isn’t helpful. You may get an ounce or two of flesh, but you will be miserable in the process. Here’s my advice: Let it go. Forgive!  

Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. Job 5:2