The dangers of resentment My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. —James 1:19–20
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erhaps one of the hardest struggles we have is our battle with resentment—towards parents who demand much of us, towards siblings who make excuses, or towards friends who no longer seem to listen to our woes.
Why do we feel resentment? It could be because we believe that we’re being asked to do what others won’t. Or we feel we’re being taken advantage of. Or we think that we’re missing out on something. Perhaps our resentment runs even deeper: maybe it stems from a belief that we’re entitled to something better, and God isn’t being fair to us. These are some of the hidden roots of resentment, and we need to be honest with ourselves—and with God—as 38
we question our own thoughts and feelings. If we can spot the presence of resentment in our lives, we can take steps to prevent it from taking root and leading to a deeper bitterness in us. Take some time to reflect on your own thoughts and feelings today, and be brutally honest as you ask yourself: Do I think God has given me more than I can handle? Do I think that people owe me gratitude and support? Take your answers to God in prayer: He welcomes an open, candid conversation with you. Am I a martyr? Martyrs try to get others to affirm their suffering on behalf of everyone else. They try to attract attention to their misery, so that everyone can recognise how bad their lives are. Deep inside, we might be
