Resentment Always Hurts You More … Daily Meditation 10.9.23

Today’s quotation:

Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent. While your offender has probably forgotten the offense and gone on with life, you continue to stew in your pain, perpetuating the past.  Listen:  those who hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold on to the pain through resentment.  Your history is past!  Nothing will change it.  You are only hurting yourself with your bitterness.  For your own sake, learn from it, and then let it go. – Rick Warren
The Purpose-Driven Life

Today’s Meditation:

Resentment is simply one of those things you must let go of if you want any chance at all to be happy.  Carrying around resentment in your heart and mind is sure to prevent so many good things, not the least of which are peace of mind and peace of heart–both of these things are impossible as long we’re actively resentful of someone else for any reason.

When we resent someone else, we let past actions control our present moments.  We’re allowing ourselves to continue to feel negative emotions over something long since over, and there is no sense in that.  Rick is right:  the past can’t continue to hurt you unless you allow it to do so unless you choose to hold on to the pain of yesterday.  We must not cause ourselves present pain by focusing on yesterday’s transgressions.

Think of all the things you can let go of when you choose to let go of the resentment that has been keeping you down.  When you let go of the resentment, you also choose to let go of anger, frustration, negative thoughts, pain, and many other things.  When you cast away bitterness, you cast away harsh judgment and prejudice.  Your life will become much more positive, fulfilling, and healthier.

We have to let go of resentment–I don’t know how we can possibly hope to hold on to it and still be happy people.  The two ideas are not compatible with one another.  If you do hold any resentment towards anyone for something that has happened in the past, do yourself a favor and put the resentment in the past, also, where it belongs.  Your future present moments will thank you.

Questions to consider:

What possible purposes can resentment have?  Can it be positive?

Why do so many people hold on to anger and resentment for things long since the past?

What kinds of resentment have you held on to?  Has it helped anything?

For further thought:

If we’re feeling resentment towards anyone or because of any situation, we cannot recognize the opportunities presenting themselves to us today.  And when we don’t respond to the invitations for meaningful involvement, our personal growth is jeopardized.  We give our power away when resentment swallows us.  Our identity becomes enmeshed with it.  Responsible action eludes us.  Fortunately, we can regain our power as soon as we decide to get free of the resentment.

If you missed our last Daily Meditation, it is here.