Letting Go of Resentment

All of us have had moments that were less than warm. People have spoken harshly to us or treated us with contempt. Many times, these actions come from the very people who claim to love us. Often others will hear our story of disappointment and simply say, “Just get over it.” That seems dismissive and belittling.

I mean, how do I get over a non-loving father or a mother who constantly compares me to other parents, suggesting I’m not a good parent. How do I move forward with a spouse who is a bully or a close friend’s betrayal. How do I get over a spouse who cheated and ignored our marriage vows? You just don’t “get over” these things. So, how do I move forward and find contentment and joy again?

First, you need to identify “it”, it being that thing that you are struggling with. Some of us have a collection of its and most of us can identify that very time, place and person that did us wrong. It can be painful to remember but necessary if you want to get to a healthier place. The Apostle Paul says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32). So, we have to discover that thing that we are holding on to before we can even start forgiving.

Sometimes, we think to repress those hurtful things. But things that are repressed have a high rate of resurrection. So how do I know I’m stuffing things way down? There are a couple of red flags. One is you become angry over little things. You are enraged at traffic, red lights, waiting on the train, your kid spilling a drink at the dinner table.

Another flag might be you’re very defensive and over-sensitive. If anyone approaches you about your behavior and angry, you erupt and act as if everything is okay.

Sometimes, we rehearse the story of how we were hurt and by whom. You play it over and over in your head, even while laying in your bed at night. But Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:27, “don’t let Satan a foot hold.” Any negative emotion gives away a little piece of your heart, a heart that actually belongs to Jesus.

So what do we do to get to a healthier place? We need to release the wrong doing to God. And that sounds simplistic. Biblically, that’s how we overcome when we’ve been wronged. Releasing it to God doesn’t minimize what’s been done to you. What you are actually sayings is, “God, this is so significant…so heavy, I need you to take it. I can’t carry this anymore. I know you know more than me so I’m trusting that you’ll have my back.” That’s when healing begins…when you let go of resentment and give everything to God.

The world will call you crazy when you act like Jesus but the new way of living will pay off. Don’t wait or hold back. Adopt a new, joy-filled way of living. On the other side is a beautiful marriage, kids that want to hang out with you, friends who want to be in your space, freedom and a good night’s sleep. Blessings on the journey.

I am God's Masterpiece

I have had the privilege of visiting the Louvre in Paris, France. The museum is full of incredible pieces of art and at the end of the tour, you’ll be swimming because of so much visual stimulation. One of the pieces in the museum is the famous Mona Lisa by DeVinci. Currently, it’s worth $770 million. But did you know, God has designated you as worth more than that? God says you’re different, unique, priceless. You are created by the ultimate artist, God, to bring him glory and honor in your life.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:1-10, that each of us were living in darkness and sin before we proclaimed Jesus as our King and Savior. In Christ, we are brand new, clean, found righteous and in good standing with God. And our right-standing with God has nothing to do with what we’ve done…everything to do with what Jesus did. We are not saved by our good works but saved for good works.

Ultimately, you were created for the Master’s purpose. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 139 that God knew our story and all our days before one of them came to be. In all of history, you were the perfect person to be born right now to give God glory through your life.

I have used tools before incorrectly. For example, I’m up on a ladder with a cordless drill and I see a nail sticking out, I’ve incorrectly used the handle of the drill to hammer the nail in. That’s not what a drill is used for. In our life, sometimes we don’t know our purpose so we incorrectly use it by filling it with inappropriate sexual relationships or drugs and alcohol or being a workaholic. But you don’t ask the thing what’s its purpose is, you ask the one who created it. So, God reminds us that we exist to bring God glory and honor in our life.

God also reminds us through the Apostle Peter that we have everything we need to do everything God wants you to do (2 Peter 1:3). With you talents and giftedness, your life experience, your relationships, you have all the pieces need to get in sync with God’s purposes for you.

Finally, God uses everything in your life to bring about his purposes. Paul tells us in Romans 8:28, “…we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” “Everything” includes the good things and not so good things. It includes the things you wanted to happen and the things you never wanted to happen. In Christ, God works in all things to bring about his purposes if we remain in Christ and live to glorify him.

You may be saying, “I’m not good enough” but remember, He’s already said you’re a masterpiece. You may be saying, “I don’t like myself”. Then let God remake you. He’s the potter, you are the clay. You’re a masterpiece of God…his crowning love and joy. Once you know who you are, you’ll know exactly what to do. Blessings on the journey.

You Hit the Jackpot!

1 Peter 2:9–10 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Understanding your identity before and after faith in Christ is paramount to proclaiming the excellencies of Him who called us.It's a true rags to riches story wrought in the mercy of God. 

The mercy of God is a wonderful thing.He doesn't give us what we deserve. We deserve judgment but God has given us an opportunity through His Son to obtain an inheritance beyond belief.He has called us out of darkness into marvelous light.You are chosen to be His children and if children then heirs (Rom 8:17), a royal priesthood called to be holy for He is holy.As we live in the identity Christ died to give us we become testimonies of His excellence. 

Live out your true identity Christian.Your Father in heaven owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Ps 50:17).You have been promised all that He has and far more than you even know.Don't live defeated!You have been given a heritage through Christ of honor and valor, live it out.Be fierce with your love and selfless in your service. This is who God made you to be!

So, live as though you know exactly who you are and that you’ve been chosen to be a child of the Most High God. Live with that smile on your face making those you’re around wonder what you are up to and never put your identity in anything that perishes but in the one who calls you his own. Blessings on the journey!