A more positive spin on resentment popped into my mind recently when I was praying for someone to be free of it. I heard in my prayers that “Resentment is an unfinished healing.”
How often have you felt guilty for holding a resentment? Moral and spiritual educators emphasize the importance of resolving resentments, letting them go, and loving more. But if you are the one holding the resentment, it might not feel easy to “let it go.”
But if you think of a resentment as an unfinished healing, it doesn’t feel so difficult to deal with anymore, plus, it provides insight into where you can go next to resolve that resentment.
Resentment stems from the belief that evil is in control someway, somehow. For instance, if you are wronged, you might feel resentment. And it’s because you believe that evil got the best of you. Of if you see someone else wronged, you might resent what you see. And again, it’s the belief that evil has power, in this case over another person, that generates that negative emotion.
Healing is the effect of understanding God to be the only power.
When one truly understands God to be the only power, the basis of resentment disappears. It has no mental legs to stand on and it has no choice but to release.
Jesus Christ harbored no resentment toward his crucifiers, because he knew they had no power over him. It looked like they had power over him from a physical perspective, but from a spiritual perspective, they were not harming him at all. In fact, they were strengthening his position and demonstration. He walked out of the tomb alive. His healing was complete. No resentment necessary.
You can walk out of any tomb of resentment alive and well too! See evil as having no power over you, that God alone has the say over your life, and the basis of any resentment can start to erode until gone.
If feeling resentful, complete the healing and be free!
Resentment means holding evil above good. Letting go of resentment means all power is given to God, good.
What does one do and how can one help a friend who holds resentment against you for a very long time? I must see the victory of forgiveness over resentment. As we learn in Science, “Love dissolves the adamant of Error.” Nothing but love alone can do the work. Love is the divine way. Its such a powerful force that if we work consistently with love, it does defeat resentment. Yes one can quietly do prayerful work by constantly seeing perfection by using the spiritual vision, and let Love do its perfect work.
Thanks Evan.
Well Needed. My response to another recent blog, seems to pinpoint this need and direction.
Thanks, Evan
Dear Evan,
Thank you! This is really good, truly a wonderful way to view it. One of the things that has helped me over the years and healed me was to really see that each individual was God’s beloved son (or daughter) in whom He was well pleased. When I became completely conscious of that, the healing came and significant good changes, adjustments manifested. Resentment and hurt were gone. God was the only power. Thanks again.
Diane…the inspiration to see EACH individual as God’s beloved son (or daughter) in whom He is well pleased shines the light right here, to solve and heal. What a beautiful thought to apply in each case, until healing comes and good appears. Thank you.
Evan, I got a image of breaking loose from the chains of resentments to be free and whole again. Another great post. thank you!
Oh, man, thanks so much for this reminder, Evan. Very sneaky, these feelings, and as you say, if evil is assumed to have power, justifiable. An unfinished healing, yes. Well, we can turn it into an opportunity to claim wholeness for everyone, yes? I just found that in the American Heritage dictionary. “Resent”comes from the root “sent” meaning to head for or go. It means “to go mentally”. It’s to go mentally to a place of seeming irreplaceable loss. BUT — where in the allness of infinite Love, has a single precious idea of God ever been lost? We can mentally go where GOD is. As Mrs. Eddy quotes in her profound essay “Love your Enemies” can anything separate us from the love which is in Christ? Romans eight —
Once I was very distressed, resentful at the aggressively complaining, sullen behavior of young people in my care, spoiling a once-in-a-lifetime visit to a foreign land. I called a practitioner and she sharply reminded me to obey the Church Manual to defend myself from aggressive mental suggestion, which is all that those terrible traits were. I must not go there, mentally. Those traits were not of divine Mind, not true and never a part of those beautiful children. She asked me to remember the God-like qualities of these children, which immediately sprang to mind, for I really loved them. When I returned to the scene, calm had settled, and in the morning it was as if two lovely children had taken their place, filled with affection, joy, fun, gratefulness. In God’s ever-present reality, they were the only children ever there.
Thanks, Evan! “The longest journey I will ever take is from the Head to the Heart.” In my Head I may be able to think about, intellectualize about, and even reason out from divine metaphysics to understand that Resentment has no real power over me or anyone. But, it’s when I sincerely FEEL in my Heart, my Feeling Center, whatever old, stuck feelings from the past are still stuck there, that I can humbly ask God to remove them and can feel a release thru tears and even some anger……acknowledging it and then feeling it all drain away. Feel, Deal and Heal! Much Love!
Thank you Evan for these healing ideas. I have seen too many people in my life not able to let go of resentment and wonder why they hadn’t found healing. Sometimes it clings fast! I will print this blog and share it when there seems to be a need. I think it will be very helpful. Jesus’ example is so powerful!
I came late to the party yesterday! Just responded to the “Appreciate your God given beauty” blog. I hope some of the ideas that have been helpful for me might be helpful to others. (=
This is soooooo good.
I’d kind of been thinking about it anyway and this really brought it into focus.
Thank you Evan…VERY helpful! And thanks to everyone that shared comments too!!!
Thanks Evan and to everyone for these inspiring ideas on resentment. I think resentment is also tied to forgiveness. And we need to be washed clean entirely of both. It may take some effort but sincere desire makes the desired results possible.
Such a healing and loving view, thank you
Great ideas, plenty of work to do. Thanks to all.
Thank you Evan for this healing view of resentment. And thank you Nergish for your explanation that LOVE is the healer in any kind. That also was the theme of the Daily Lift from Scott Preller yesterday, also very helpful.
Sometimes I must pray for myself, that resentment is not from God, good and therefore is never a part of ourself.
This is very fresh! Thanks Evan! There has been so much written and said about healing resentment that it is hard to put aside the thought that there is nothing new to know. I think you have really hit on something here, and I’m grateful that you shared it.
Thank you Evan! Stopping resentment can go a long way. When we love others they in turn can love back. It may not be us they reflect that love on however it is important that people know they are loved no matter what!
Oh, to be re-sent, to do again that which I knew better to do, or should have known, the first time. Thanks Evan. Now I look forward for the instant healing.
Pure Love & precious honesty from you all. Again a huge feeling of Gratitude – or “greatful attitude” – for writing this Evan & for everyone’s insights & sharings.
I most especially Sunshine, Susan, Bude, Uta & Bevi.
Last night was a sudden trip to ‘hell’ as I slammed into self pity & with much human self justification also be in my room. Sobbing & railing against an ex & his 2nd wife who have stingily hurt me & my children over & over again when I thought & egotisticslly acted out forgiveness to them for all to see & applaud my ‘ amazing spiritual loving strength & forgiveness!’ Self! 1st degree! Me lying for show & praise. The Pharisee & publican. I’m sooo innocent. Ha! Me – Poor victim & not also the perpetrator of discord & pain? The horror of hateful mist enveloping every space & I screamed inside because I “knew God left & wasn’t really real!”
Hate filled the room. No escape. No sleep. Writhing in pain & from where did this moment come???? What?
Kept saying daily prayer & 6th tenet & somehow hearing “Divine alive always has met & always will meet every human need.”
Slowly the angel thoughts seeped into my heart & washed away th tears….& RESENTMENT! I’m no different than they that I blamed!!! Forgive self! Then truly forgive. Hard to do still but see the truth of it. God’s perfect Love overall- All in all.
Still working.