RESENTMENT is being angry, upset, or having bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly. The French resentir means to feel aggrieved or distressed by. Another word for resent is RANKLE - a wound or sore that continues to be painful or fester until it becomes septic (infected with pus). Resentment ensues when a negative feeling or problem becomes more intense especially through long-term neglect or indifference. It is a mixture of anger, disgust, disappointment, and sadness. Resentment can be triggered by an emotionally disturbing experience felt again or relived in the mind.
This emotionally debilitating anguish may not be detected by casual
acquaintances. Disillusionment, distrust and despair set in when the
experience of our relationship fails to meet our expectations. But they're close, what do you do?
David's resentment over his enemy's actions distressed him so; he cried out to God in Psalm 55. "I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted" (vs. 2)
"My heart is in anguish within me." (vs. 4)
The pain and fear was so great and overwhelming that he wanted to take flight. "I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest." He asked for God's intervention to fight on his behalf, but then makes an interesting statement:
"For it was not an enemy who reproaches (slanders, defames) me, Then I could bear it; Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my familiar friend; we who had sweet fellowship together, Walked in the house of God in the throng."(vs.
12-14) Scholars surmise that King David is referring to his close
friend and counselor Ahithopel, who later turned against him in his son
Absalom's coup attempt. Julius Caesar's above was shocked when his
confidant Brutus conspired his assassination,
"Et tu Brute?" You too, Brutus?
It takes a village to help someone courageous enough to admit they are struggling with bitterness and resentment. Paul instructed the Hebrews,
"Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." (Heb. 12:15) You or someone you know might have an infected heart. Jesus' healing love through you is part of the cure.
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