Resentment Hurts You More Than Anyone Else
By Rick Warren
“To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do.” Job 5:2 (GNT)
If you hang on to resentment, it always hurts you more than anyone else. Resentment is self-destructive and counterproductive.
Resentment just makes no sense.
If anyone ever had a reason to be resentful, it was Job. He was a godly man who had everything he wanted—wealth, fame, and a great family. One day, he lost it all. Enemy nations killed his livestock. All of his children died in a horrific storm. He got a terrible disease.
He literally lost everything he had, except for his wife, but then in his darkest moment, she said to him, “Why don’t you curse God and die?” (Job 2:9 GNT).
Then a group of his friends came along and said, “Job, it’s all your fault.”
But, in the midst of a lot of bad advice-giving, one of his friends shared a word of wisdom. He insisted to Job that growing resentful was a bad idea. He said, “To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do” (Job 5:2 GNT).
Job’s friend was a wise man. He knew that—even in the midst of such great heartache—resentment wouldn’t help. In fact, it would just make things worse.
If you think back through experiences in your own life, you’ll probably agree. You’ve probably done things you regret when you were caught up in resentment. Maybe you said something like, “I’m going to get him!” Then you did the ridiculous to make that happen.
When you give in to resentment, you end up acting in self-destructive ways. You hurt yourself much more than those you’re holding grudges against. Resentment makes you miserable. And it never ends with you getting what you want.
So why hold on to your resentment for one more minute? Let go of resentment today. Choose to forgive and enjoy living in the freedom it brings.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes
As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.
Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.
As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.
Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.
Thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.