Episode 22: Releasing Resentment Part 2

So often, we are hurt by those closest to us… We see this happen to David when he was a young man and this event shaped both his perspective and his character. 1 Samuel 17:28 tells the story of David’s big brother, Eliab, who crushes him with words of criticism and offense. When the enemy attacks, he often uses a voice that feels familiar.

In David’s case he used the voice of his brother to:

·      Attack his identity and confidence.
·      Attack his motive and heart. 

The Bible notes that David “turned away” from the harsh voice, and went on to defeat the brutal giant, Goliath. In order to “turn away” from our Eliab’s we must overcome the offense and release the resentment. Here’s how:

1.     We must release our right to be right.

o   We let go of our right to hear “I’m sorry…” Regardless of whether our offender ever offers an apology—we release resentment.

o   We release our right to be bitter. Bitterness adds salt to the wound and keeps us from a true healing.

o   We release our right to get even. The need to make someone pay for our pain diminishes when we let go of the need for revenge. 

1.     Remember, you are responsible for YOU, not them.

o   Your obedience to forgive can lead to a life-change in the one you’ve forgiven.

2.     God will use anything—even our pain. 

o   Though we run from pain and try to avoid its grasp, pain is a great teacher when we allow God’s hand to mold it into maturity. Even pain can tell a redemption story when we offer forgiveness. 

We’re most like Jesus when we forgive our offenders. The purpose of Jesus’s life on earth was to take the offense of sin and turn it into the beauty of grace and forgiveness. 

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